The past four football seasons, Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai made a loud impact with 391 tackles.

On Friday, Tavai said, “I’m just speechless.”

The Detroit Lions selected Tavai in the second round, 43rd overall, in the NFL Draft. Tavai tied Pisa Tinoisamoa for the third-highest pick of a Rainbow Warrior. The St. Louis Rams chose Tinoisamoa in 2003. Ashley Lelie was picked in the first round, 19th overall, by the Denver Broncos in 2002, and Travis LaBoy went 42nd overall to the Tennessee Titans in 2004.

“Right now, I feel blessed and grateful for this opportunity,” Tavai told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a telephone interview from Henderson, Nev.

Tavai amassed 82 tackles before suffering a shoulder injury against Nevada on Oct. 20, 2018. That injury ended his senior season and limited his postseason workouts. But Tavai impressed the NFL during his interviews at the Scouting Combine and UH’s pro day. Earlier this month, he held a workout that representatives from 22 NFL teams attended. The Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Lions invited Tavai to private workouts. NFL teams are limited to inviting up to 30 prospects for such sessions.

Tavai, who is 6 feet 2 and 250 pounds, played all the linebacker positions and rush end for the Warriors. As a freshman, Tavai, an accomplished rugby player, was used as a punter in the 2015 regular-season finale.

After the Denver Broncos made the first of back-to-back picks in the second round, the Lions notified Tavai he would be their choice.

“We were sitting down, watching the draft, eating food, when the call (from the Lions) came, and (Tavai) told us,” said Dakota Torres, a former Warrior who was invited to Tavai’s draft party in Henderson. “He was stoked.”

Tavai said a family home in Nevada was set for the viewing party because it could accommodate a group of 18. Torres said there was unabashed cheering when Tavai’s name flashed on the television screen. Tavai said their attendance “was the best part. My teammates and friends were always behind me. I wanted to share this moment with them.”

Last year’s 43rd pick, also by the Lions, was Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson. According to Overthecap.com, Johnson received a four-year deal with a potential value of $6.5 million, which included a $2.8 million signing bonus and more than $4 million in total guarantees.

Tavai said he has not been told a reporting date for mini camp, but “when they tell me, I’m on the next flight out.”

“I think our whole state is happy,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said. “Our whole department is happy. This is a real tribute to a guy who does the right thing every step of his life. He plays hard on the field. He did as much as he could with his God-given abilities. It’s a great day for Hawaii football.”