Mase Funa, Oregon Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/22/22 - DE Mase Funa, rSr/2024, Oregon

Mase Funa was not loving it in 2021. The Oregon Ducks strong-side linebacker had 28 tackles with one for loss, one fumble recovery and pass breakup in 12 games last season. It was a career-low in disruption in the backfield for Funa, who had 8.5 tackles for loss with four sacks as a true freshman in a backup role in 2019 and 31 tackles with 3.5 for loss over seven games in 2020. Foot and leg injuries played a role in his decline in production, but so too did his weight. At 245 pounds as a top 100 recruit in the class of 2019 and 260 pounds as a freshman, Funa was playing at a much higher weight than the 265 he was listed at last season.

Not surprisingly, his regular dinner order at McDonald's - two McDoubles, two McChickens, 20 chicken nuggets, large fries, large shake and large soda - packed on pounds. "That's pretty much why I was so big the last few years," Funa said. "I put down food. I'm Tongan, I got to eat." Funa cut down on fast food - way down. He said he trimmed down to between 235-240 pounds and that was too lean to still be effective on the edge. Now at 255 pounds, the fourth-year junior feels he's in the best shape of his career and poised to get back to being a disruptive force for the No. 11 Ducks this season. "Me and Mase have been in the same room for this is going on three years now," edge rusher Bradyn Swinson said. "Seeing Mase be from 290 all the way to 280 to see how his body transformed now, this is the best I've ever seen Mase's body. I'm really excited to see what Mase do because he's like a shape-shifter; one minute he can be 250, next minute he's 270 and next minute he's 280. It's amazing. Mase is going to do great things this year." - The Oregonian

rSr/2024