Hercules Mata'afa

DE

#51

Experience: 3 years

Height: 6-2

Age: 25

Weight: 254 lbs

College: Washington State

2020 SEASON

TCKLS

12
SCK

2.5
FF

0
INT

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Recent Games

WK	OPP	RESULT	Total	Solo	AST	SCK	PDEF	FF
17	@Lions	W 37 - 35	1	1	0	1	0	0
16	@Saints	L 33 - 52	4	2	2	0	0	0
15	Bears	L 27 - 33	6	2	4	0	0	0
14	@Buccaneers	L 14 - 26	1	0	1	0	0	0
13	Jaguars	W 27 - 24	3	1	2	0.5	0	0
12	Panthers	W 28 - 27	1	0	1	0	0	0
11	Cowboys	L 28 - 31	1	1	0	0	0	0
10	@Bears	W 19 - 13	3	2	1	0.5	0	0
9	Lions	W 34 - 20	1	0	1	0.5	0	0
8	@Packers	W 28 - 22	2	2	0	0	0	0
3	Titans	L 30 - 31
5	@Seahawks	L 26 - 27
4	@Texans	W 31 - 23
2	@Colts	L 11 - 28
1	Packers	L 34 - 43	1	1	0	0	0	0

Career Stats

Defense Career

SEASON	TEAM	G	GS	Total	Solo	AST	SCK	SFTY	PDEF	INT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TDS	OPP FR
2019	Minnesota Vikings	6	0	1	1	0	0		1						1
2020	Minnesota Vikings	13	1	24	12	12	2.5		0
TOTAL		19	1	25	13	12	2.5	0	1	0	0	NaN	0	0	1

Biography

• Saw 1st career game action in 2019, notching 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QB Hurries and a FR in the opening 2 games of the season.

• Named the 2017 AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in sacks (9.5) and TFL (21.5).

OFF THE FIELD

• One of 7 kids.

• Sister Gina-Bella is a water polo player at Durham University in the UK and younger sister Lalelei is a NFL Punt, Pass and Kick national champion.

• Saw 1st career game action in 2019, notching 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QB Hurries and a FR in the opening 2 games of the season.

• Named the 2017 AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in sacks (9.5) and TFL (21.5).

OFF THE FIELD

• One of 7 kids.

• Sister Gina-Bella is a water polo player at Durham University in the UK and younger sister Lalelei is a NFL Punt, Pass and Kick national champion.

PRO

• Signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent on 4/30/18.

• Placed on Injured Reserve on 6/20/18 after sustaining an injury in offseason workouts.

2019: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Appeared in 6 games during the 2019 campaign.

• Made his NFL debut vs. Atlanta (9/8) in season opener.

• Notched his 1st career FR and TFL at Green Bay (9/15).

2018: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Placed on IR after sustaining an injury in offseason workouts.

COLLEGE

• 3-time All-PAC-12, earning 1st-Team honors as a junior, 2nd- Team as a sophomore, and honorable mention as a freshman.

• Named AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in sacks (9.5) and TFL (21.5).

• Declared for the NFL after his junior season with the Cougars.

• Set a Washington State single-season record with 22.5 TFL.

• Appeared in 39 games, making 25 starts. Finished his career with 123 tackles, 47 tackles for loss - 2nd in WSU history, and 22.5 sacks, good for 4th in school history.

• Named to USA TODAY's Sports Freshman All-America 1st Team after leading WSU in sacks and ranking 4th in the Pac-12.

PREP

• Attended Lahainaluna High School in Hawaii.

• Rated the #4 overall prospect coming out of Hawaii.

• He was a state finalist as a junior and senior in wrestling.

video

Herculues Mata'afa Details How Trip to Practice Squad Prepared Him for Success as of Late | Vikings Vantage

On this edition of the Vikings Vantage, defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa joined vikings.com's Gabe Henderson and Chris Corso to detail his trip to a practice squad a few weeks back and how it changed him as a player in the NFL and his game against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Catch the Vikings Vantage on KFAN on Fridays at 6:30 P.M CT.

video

Mata'afa Talks About His Emergence In Recent Weeks, Moving To Defensive End and Embracing The 'Underdog' Mentality

DL Hercules Mata'afa addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Wednesday.

video

Hercules Mata'afa: "I Know This is Going to be a Big Year for Me" | Minnesota Vikings Podcast

On this edition of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa joins vikings.com's Chris Corso on the show to talk about his journey to the Vikings roster and his big opportunity at the three-technique position this year.