Locals hoping to feel (NFL) draft

Mr. Irrelevant, the title bestowed on the player picked last in the annual NFL Draft that opens today, may not be the only selection that makes news in Newport-Mesa this year.

The 255th and final pick, scheduled to be made by the Oakland Raiders and announced live from the podium by Irrelevant Week founder Paul Salata on Sunday, will become Mr. Irrelevant XXXI. He will be celebrated during Irrelevant Week festivities, tentatively scheduled for June 11-17 in Newport Beach.

The annual celebration of the underdog, the brain child of Salata ? a Newport Beach businessman who was a receiver at USC and in the NFL ? espouse Salata’s desire to “do something nice for someone for no good reason.”

But the second day of the draft may also mean an NFL opportunity for former Orange Coast College defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, as well as former Newport Harbor High star Chris Manderino.

Mahelona, a 6-foot-1, 311-pounder who finished his collegiate career at Tennessee, is rated No. 14 at his position and the No. 145 player overall, by Scouts, Inc. That would translate to being selected in the fifth round of the seven-round draft.

A third-team All-America by the Associated Press and a second-team All-American by Rivals.com as a senior, Mahelona played in 24 games as a Volunteer, starting 18. He collected 77 tackles in two seasons, including seven sacks and 26 1/2 tackles for loss. He was also credited with 16 quarterback hurries.

Mahelona, who played high school football in Hawaii, was an all-state performer as a freshman at OCC in 2002. He missed all but four games of his sophomore season with a broken right foot.

The Scouts, Inc. profile on Mahelona indicates speed, quickness and power are his strengths. The same profile states that he lacks ideal height and bulk.

Manderino, who played quarterback, tailback and outside linebacker in high school, went to Cal as a walk-on. After redshirting in 2001, the former Newport-Mesa Player of the Year earned a scholarship before the 2002 season and was a four-year starter at fullback for the Golden Bears.

Manderino (6-0, 235) is ranked No. 23 at his position by Scouts Inc. and could be considered a longshot to be drafted. But he is expected to generate interest as a free agent and has signed with a New York-based sports agency that has been in contact with several teams on his behalf.

Known more for his pass-catching and blocking in college, Manderino rushed for 205 yards and three touchdowns on 50 career attempts at Cal. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry. He caught 43 passes for 484 yards and five touchdowns.