On his journey to the big football stage, former University of Hawaii football player Jahlani Tavai has been invited to a key audition.

Tavai confirmed to the Star-Advertiser that he received — and accepted — an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Tavai will compete in several disciplines — 40-yard sprint, bench press, 3-cone drills — as well as field workouts on March 3.

The invitation-only combine is an important showcase in advance of the NFL Draft on April 25-27. General managers, personnel directors and coaches will monitor the combine, as well as conduct extensive interviews with prospects.

Tavai played rush end as a second-year freshman in 2015, middle linebacker the next two seasons, and hybrid rush end/linebacker in 2018. Tavai’s senior season was abbreviated to eight games after he suffered a shoulder injury against Nevada on Oct. 20. Despite missing the Rainbow Warriors’ final five games, including the SoFi Hawaii Bowl, Tavai amassed 82 tackles.

Tavai said he has healed from surgery on his right shoulder. He was treated at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, whose clientele includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Clippers.

“So far, so good,” Tavai said of his shoulder.

Tavai said he has been told he will compete as a linebacker. “To be honest, I don’t mind where I play,” Tavai said.

He is projected anywhere from a second-day selection to free agency. “I have to work my butt off and continue to train hard,” Tavai said.

The 6-foot-3 Tavai, who grew up in Inglewood, Calif., said he has been training in San Diego and is currently at 250 pounds, but is hopeful of dropping to 240 to 245 pounds before the combine.