Sunshine Coast gridiron talent Luke Felix-Fualalo signs NFL contract with Seattle Seahawks
The man who helped unearthed Australia’s newest NFL ace has revealed the moment the Seattle Seahawks-signed athlete discovered how to unleash the ‘devastating power’ that catapulted him to US stardom.
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The man who helped unearthed Australia’s newest NFL ace has revealed the moment the Seattle Seahawks-signed athlete discovered how to unleash the ‘devastating power’ that catapulted him to US stardom.
Luke Felix-Fualalo is the Sunshine Coast gridiron weapon who has become the latest Australian to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
The man who moulded Felix-Fualalo as a young union player vividly remembers the time the barnstorming athlete learnt how to harness his strength.
“Luke was always a gentle giant at school. A very polite, respectful kid who always had a real presence on campus,” current St John’s College teacher and school rugby union coach Luke Zeremes said.
“In 2017 Luke was a member of our 1st XV side and at the time he had external sporting commitments as he had dreams of playing gridiron back then.
“That led to his US scholarship but he always attended training and played when he could.”
Zeremes said he always thought Felix-Fualalo would be well suited to the NFL arena.
“He played lock and I remember wishing he would unleash his full potential given he was a huge figure, but he seemed content just getting out there.
“His involvement was sporadic where he would go hard for passages and have such a big impact before then just chilling for others.
“I remember one game I pulled him aside and asked him ‘what do I need to do to get you to angry’, but he didn’t really say much, I was told he was afraid of hurting the other kids.
“During one game he dropped a few passes and got really fired up which was a real insight into just how powerful and devastating he could be.
“I was like wow, I want to see more of this.”
The 203cm, 140kg offensive tackle attended St John’s College and played junior club rugby for Sunshine Coast Grammar before finishing high school in California at Mater Dei High.
After teachers spotted his potential in gridiron Felix Fualalo was introduced to the Sunshine Coast Spartans before being connected with Conquest Athletic Performance in Melbourne.
Felix-Fualalo began his college playing days at Utah before transferring to Hawaii in 2022 and becoming a starter the following year.
In his 2023 season he allowed only one sack out of 491 pass-blocking snaps, earning first-team All-Mountain West honours from Pro Football Focus.
Injuries limited Felix-Fualalo to just four starts in 2024 before the ungrafted rookie was invited to the Seahawks rookie minicamp in May, earning a roster spot ahead of their July training camp.
“Since he left to the US, a number of staff and former students have followed his journey,” Zeremes said.
“Every time there is a milestone we chat about it in the staff room and reminisce on his time at SJC.
“I remember when he got signed for College, that was a very exciting time for us all at SJC, especially given the courage he showed to chase his dream.”
He is the latest Australian NFL product, alongside Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Laekin Vakalahi and Baltimore Ravens guard Daniel Faalele, who have worked with Conquest Athletic Performance in Melbourne.
The Seahawks are familiar with Australian talent, having made Michael Dickson the league’s highest-paid punter once again, signing the Pro Bowler to a four-year $16.7 million extension earlier this month.
“To see him sign with an NFL side is something else and we can’t wait to keep following his journey to see where it takes him,” Zeremes said.
“I know if he makes his debut during one of my lessons, the game will be projected on the whiteboard for the class to watch and I’ll be sure to remind them about his journey.”
Felix-Fualalo’s cousin is Colm Woulfe-Felix, a three-time winner of the New Zealand’s Strongest Man title and a competitor in the World’s Strongest Man event.
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Originally published as Sunshine Coast gridiron talent Luke Felix-Fualalo signs NFL contract with Seattle Seahawks
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