Kaluka Maiava Kaluka Maiava ( born December 27 , 1986 ) is an American football linebacker for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft . He played college football at the University of Southern California ( USC ) . High school . Maiava attended Baldwin High School in Wailuku , Hawaii on the island of Maui . His junior year , he had 157 tackles , 22 tackles for loss and 8 sacks . Before his senior season , Maiava nearly transferred to Kahuku High School on the island of Oahu , where his uncle was an assistant coach , to get more attention at a program known for its NFL alumni ; however , his strong performance in football camps on the mainland influenced him to remain at Baldwin . His senior year , he had 147 tackles , 39 tackles for loss , 8 sacks , 8 forced fumbles and 5 blocked kicks , as well as a punt return for a TD . As a student , he achieved a 3 . 6 grade point average and an SAT score of 1010 ( old scoring system ) . He modeled himself after Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher . Considered the top recruit coming out of Hawaii and one of the top prospects at the linebacker position , Maiava was heavily recruited . A number of major programs offered him scholarships , including UCLA , Washington , Oregon , Utah , BYU , Wisconsin , Colorado , Arizona and UTEP ; however , he was not strongly recruited by the University of Hawaii , then under June Jones . His final three choices were USC , UCLA and Colorado . In the summer before his senior year , while attending camps on the mainland , he was invited to make an official visit to UCLA . Impressed by their facilities and coaching staff , he made a soft verbal commitment to UCLA in July 2004 . However , Maiava decided to visit other programs and eventually drawn to USC , where he was attracted to the energy of the players and coaches , the program ' s popularity and the Hollywood atmosphere . He committed to USC on October 11 , 2004 ; he joined the same class as fellow Trojans linebacker Brian Cushing . He is the first player from Maui to play for USC . In February 2005 , the Council of the County of Maui honored him with a resolution congratulating him for all of his high school football achievements . College career . Maiava attended USC and played for the USC Trojan football team ( 2005 - 2008 seasons ) under head coach Pete Carroll and Linebacker Coach Ken Norton Jr . The 2008 linebacker corps at USC , featuring Brian Cushing , Maiava , Clay Matthews III , and Rey Maualuga , was ranked as one of the most talented linebacker corps in college football history . During his freshman season at USC , Maiava was selected by the team as co - special teams player of the year along with kicker Mario Danelo , he also won the Trojans ' Service Team Defensive Player of the Year . In 2006 , he had 34 tackles , including 3½ for losses while playing in 12 games and again winning the team ' s Co - Special Teams Player of the Year Award . During his junior , 2007 season , he was a key reserve , making 44 tackles , including 4½ for losses , two sacks , two pass deflections and a forced fumble while appearing in all 13 games and starting once , against Arizona State . During that season ' s bowl game , the 2008 Rose Bowl , he suffered a wrist injury and was unable to participate in spring practices . Going into his senior , 2008 season , he replaced All - American , top - 10 NFL Draft selection Keith Rivers in a linebacking corp that included highly - touted NFL prospects Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga . He had a strong senior season , finishing the regular season with 62 tackles , 7½ for losses , three pass deflections and an interception while making all 12 starts . He won the team player of the game award against rival - Notre Dame , and had the highest number tackles in games were USC struggled against opposing teams ' rushing attack . In the 2009 Rose Bowl Game , Maiava became the third straight linebacker from USC to have won the most valuable defensive player of the game , following 2009 bowl game teammates Cushing ( 2007 ) and Maualuga ( 2008 ) . Maiava was one of twelve USC players , including the four senior linebackers Brian Cushing , Maiava , Clay Matthews III , and Rey Maualuga , who attended the by - invitation - only 2009 NFL Scouting Combine ( top rated NCAA Division 1 teams might send only one to three senior players to the Combine ) . Professional career . Cleveland Browns . Maiava was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round , 104th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft . Oakland Raiders . On March 13 , 2013 , Maiava signed a three year , $ 6 million dollar contract with the Oakland Raiders . Personal . Maiava ' s father , Scott Mahoney , attended and played football for Kamehameha Schools and the University of Colorado as an offensive lineman . His mother , Kathryn , works for an airline , which allowed the family the ability to take free trips to the mainland during Maiava ' s high school recruiting period . His brother , Kai , also played football at Colorado and UCLA . He is the grandson of professional wrestler Neff Maiava , and the nephew of Dwayne Johnson , who played football at Miami before gaining wide attention as professional wrestler " The Rock " . Maiava is a die hard New York Yankees fan .