Colts 2023 Draft Interviews: Atonio Mafi, IOL, UCLA

Meet UCLA interior offensive lineman Atonio Mafi. We talked about his transition from DT to LG, his experience at the Shrine Bowl, and his physical style of play on the interior.

Atonio Mafi is a former three star recruit that chose to attend UCLA over Cal out of high school. Before we even dive into his football career, Mafi has an interesting background in sports prior to stepping foot on a football field.

Mafi was a rugby player as kid in California, which is hard to believe when you look at his towering 6'4" 340 pound frame nowadays. I asked him about his rugby background and if it helped prepare him at all for football:

Rugby has always been fun and I've always loved playing rugby. Even in my downtime now I'll go throw a rugby ball around or kick it around. A lot of people say that I am sneaky athletic for how big I am, and I attribute that to playing rugby. It was fun being in the open field though, it would usually take a few people to get me down.

Mafi had a fascinating career with the Bruins, as he entered the program as a 411 pound defensive tackle. He made the transition to the offensive side of the ball and gradually knocked that weight down to the 340 pounds that he plays at today.

I asked him about his massive weight loss journey and how he was able to shed over 70 pounds over the past five years:

It was definitely challenging at first. UCLA really set me up for success. I was able to put in the work and Coach (Chip) Kelly would have talks with me about what weight I would have to be at to make it at the next level. I was able to get it to a good spot and now I am here training in Florida on the doorstep of the NFL. I'm just thankful for all of the help that I had at UCLA to make this possible.

Mafi made the switch to offense after his sophomore season in 2019. It was an interesting decision, as he was a regular presence on the Bruins' defense throughout his first two seasons in college.

I asked him about this change to offense and how the topic even came up between him and the coaching staff:

I actually initiated that. I always felt that I was an offensive lineman, but I was heavily recruited as a defensive lineman out of high school. I went up to Coach (Chip) Kelly after my sophomore year and told him that I felt like I was better suited to play offensive line at the next level. He agreed wholeheartedly and we made the change.

Mafi was given a pretty good perspective on opponents due to this change to the other side of the ball. I asked him if that transition actually helped him in the film room when preparing for opponents the following three seasons:

Oh, most definitely. Our offensive line coach would point things out and mention things that I used to do as a defensive lineman (when watching opponents on film). He would also ask me how I would respond to certain things when I played on defense. For example, when I was DL I would play the center like this on the back block or tell him how I would try to fight back against certain blocks.

Atonio Mafi is violent both in run and pass, watch this pass pro rep start and Mafi snatches and finishes this DT. pic.twitter.com/QoiQlMde4z

— Thomas Martinez (@BoltsDraftTalk) February 4, 2023

Shrine Bowl Performance

Atonio Mafi took his talents to the Shrine Bowl this offseason, where he won numerous awards as the best lineman in attendance. He was also named as a team captain from the New England Patriots' staff for the game at the end of the week.

I asked him if he believes the Shrine Bowl helped elevate his draft stock:

Most definitely. It was a great experience overall and it was a great experience being coached by the Patriots. I just wanted to go out there and do my best, and I came away with some awards for best interior lineman and was also voted team captain for the game. I felt like I really went out there and solidified that I belong at the next level. I was grateful for the opportunity and it was great to play one more game with some of my UCLA teammates.

UCLA’s Atonio Mafi has had a strong week at the #ShrineBowl. Love the base and anchor on this rep. pic.twitter.com/RaXbKC9jY1

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 31, 2023

Physical Play and Body Blows

Mafi is a physically imposing player that racks up countless pancakes and body blows over the course of a game.

I asked him about this play style and if the edge he plays with has always been a big part of his game:

It has always been me. That play style was instilled to me by my parents. If you want something, you gotta go get it. Also, with being a former defensive lineman, DL rooms are a bit different and more gritty than offensive linemen (no offense to OL guys). Transitioning to offense and keeping that mindset to impose my will is something that I like to do.

Mafi has a unique perspective on the importance of body blows, as he came from the other side of the ball. I asked him, as a former defensive lineman, what being knocked to the ground does to your mindset over the course of a game:

It's demoralizing. It sets the tone and it makes defensive linemen play more timid. If defensive linemen are so worried about being blown off of the ball, then it is much easier to reach them on a wide zone and similar concepts.

It opens up so much in the run game for your offense. It is the ultimate mind game. If you got the kid worried about getting blown off the ball, he's gonna play half a tick slower, and that is beneficial to the offensive scheme.

Atonio Mafi is a menace pic.twitter.com/22hUXCmyLr

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) February 8, 2023

NFL Draft Outlook

I finished off the interview with the same way I finish all of them. I asked Mafi how he would sell himself to a team this offseason. I asked him what my team would be getting, on and off the field, if they draft him:

First and foremost, what you see is what you are gonna get. I'm going to come in and get ready to work. My whole life is dedicated to football now and I'm excited to be a professional and focus all of my time to playing. A lot of guys think about coming into the league and developing, and that's great and all, but I want to come in and contribute to on the field success.

I don't have any plans of sitting back and learning for a few years. If I can get on the field, and earn it, my main goal is to contribute right away.

Atonio Mafi is one of the more fun draft prospects to watch on film in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is an overpowering bully that makes opposing defensive linemen pay on every single snap.

He should be a perfect addition to an NFL offensive line room next season.

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