Yepi Pauu

Yepi Pauu (; born April 28, 1965), nicknamed the Tongan Hitman, is a Tongan former professional American football player who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) and World League of American Football (WLAF). He played college football for the Saddleback Gauchos and San Jose State Spartans as a linebacker, earning all-conference honors all four seasons of his college career. He played in the AFL for the Los Angeles Cobras in 1988 and the Detroit Drive in 1990, winning ArenaBowl IV with Detroit. He finished his pro football career by playing for the WLAF's Frankfurt Galaxy from 1991 to 1992, and was the team's leading tackler during the former season.

Early life Yepi Pauu was born on April 28, 1965, in Tonga. He did not play American football until his junior year at Santa Ana High School in 1982.

College career Due to poor grades, Pauu first enrolled at Rancho Santiago College. Pauu was later inducted into the Saddleback College Athletics Hall of Fame.

In 1986, Pauu signed a national letter of intent to play for the SMU Mustangs. He recorded a team-high eight tackles and two sacks in the 1986 California Bowl victory. He posted 108 tackles and six sacks as a senior in 1987, garnering first-team All-PCAA and Associated Press honorable mention All-American honors. On defense, he totaled 21 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, six sacks, and three pass breakups.

Pauu did not play pro football in 1989.

Pauu played in all ten games, starting nine, for the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League of American Football (WLAF) during the league's first season in 1991. The Galaxy's 7–3 record was the third best in the league but they did not make the playoffs as they finished third in the European Division. In 1992, Pauu made two sacks and one interception for Frankfurt as the team went 3–7.

Personal life Pauu's son, Butch Pau'u, played linebacker for the BYU Cougars from 2015 to 2018.