The 49ers have received Pro Bowl-level play from second-year safety Talanoa Hufanga, and he’s quickly emerging as a fan-favorite player.
What is it about the San Francisco 49ers finding hidden-gem talent in Round 5 of the NFL Draft?
In 2017, eventual All-Pro tight end George Kittle was the stud find. Then, in 2019, the Niners landed standout linebacker Dre Greenlaw. And now, they’re hoping cornerback Samuel Womack can be the next impact player.
For the most part, the 2020 draft class has made a modest on-field impact. However, another one of those day-three finds is quickly and loudly rocketing to the top of the attention list: former USC safety Talanoa Hufanga.
There may have been substantial concerns about San Francisco letting longtime veteran starter Jaquiski Tartt walk in free agency last offseason, all but guaranteeing Hufanga would emerge as the No. 1 option in his second year in the league.
Over five weeks into 2022, though, it’s looking as if the 49ers made the right choice.
To date, Hufanga is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He already has a whopping five tackles for a loss, which is a large number for even an in-the-box safety in this timeframe, and he’s also notched a sack and two interceptions, returning one of them for a game-sealing touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
Needless to say, Hufanga is emerging as a fan favorite. Let’s explore why that’s been so easy and fun.
No. 1 reason Talanoa Hufanga is easy to root for: His personality is magnetic
NFL players are as diverse and different as any large population of people, so it’s no surprise some players’ personalities are a bit more standoffish or egotistic than others.
Hufanga, though, made his own personality a positive trait not long after the Niners made him one of their fifth-round picks from 2020:
Plenty of fans enjoyed the above interview in which Hufanga expressed his gratitude to San Francisco for taking a chance on him.
On top of that, his personality seems to be following him throughout his young career, making it even easier to root for him both on and off the field.
No. 2 reason Talanoa Hufanga is easy to root for: The Troy Polamalu comparisons won’t go away
OK, so some may be annoyed a bit that Talanoa Hufanga has constantly drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame legend Troy Polamalu, and perhaps someone should put a dollar into the “every time someone says Hufanga trains with and plays like Polamalu” tip jar when someone points it out during a game broadcast.
The Polynesian roots are always going to be there, as is the fact both players played their collegiate ball at USC.
Then, there are the flowing locks of hair that make a bald person (such as this writer) exceptionally jealous.
Related Story: 49ers can’t overlook Talanoa Hufanga comparisons to Troy Polamalu
It might have been one thing to compare Hufanga’s journey to the NFL to that of Polamalu, both players’ roots and the fact they train together. But, when Hufanga began making Polamalu-type plays on the field, it opened up the discussion to an entirely new level.
And if Hufanga winds up being half the player Polamalu was over the course of his exceptional career, it’ll only reinforce the fact the 49ers got an absolute steal in Hufanga.
No. 3 reason Talanoa Hufanga is easy to root for: Playmakers make plays
Let’s face it: It’s one thing to root for a likable player who doesn’t do much on the field, but it’s entirely another thing to root for someone who’s constantly making splash plays.
Talanoa Hufanga put his stamp on being a young playmaker during the playoffs last season, grabbing a key blocked punt and returning it for a touchdown in the divisional round against the Green Bay Packers:
WHAT A HEADS UP PLAY BY THE ROOK @TalanoaHufanga 🤙#SFvsGB on FOX/49ers App pic.twitter.com/yzP6NAqWgW
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 23, 2022
From there, Hufanga’s stock value has only gone up. We pointed out the stats already, but what gets lost in the discussion a bit is the physicality and tenacity Hufanga displays when he’s on the field.
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Those traits, plus the fact he almost always seems to be around the ball have shaped him into being one of the Niners’ most exciting up-and-coming players.
Seriously, it’s hard to accept the fact Hufanga is just 23 years old.
At any rate, San Francisco has to be thrilled with what it’s getting from the standouts safety, whose career only looks to be getting better with each passing week.
It’s hard not to root for that.