Milpitas alum Vita Vea climbs NFL draft boards

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At the NFL scouting combine Saturday, Vita Vea, a Washington defensive tackle from Milpitas, was asked whether he models his game after a particular player.

“I really admired (former 49ers lineman Justin Smith) growing up,” Vea told reporters. “He was a very powerful man. And that’s what I feel like one of my strengths was growing up ... just being strong and having that power.”

His interview over, Vea left his podium, moved to an adjoining room at the Indiana Convention Center and proceeded to bench-press 225 pounds 41 times.

Vea, who measured 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, also ran the 40-yard dash the following day in 5.1 seconds. That combination of size, strength and speed has pushed Vea up some analysts’ draft boards and made him a potential first-round target for a team like the Raiders, who need help on the interior defensive line and select 10th overall.

The Raiders recently have lacked a commanding interior presence who could take on multiple blockers and free up edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. That’s the role Vea played last season at Washington when he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year despite relatively modest totals of 44 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Vea was expected to thrive at the combine and did not disappoint with his bench press and 40 time. He did not participate in further drills after tweaking his hamstring, but his appearance still left an impression on analysts, including NFL Network’s Mike Mayock.

“Do you know how freaky this kid is?” Mayock told NFL.com. “He played high school basketball, he was a running back in high school. On defense, they’ve used him everywhere on the front. He stands up at 347 (pounds), plays the ‘joker,’ rushes the ‘A’ gap, comes off the edge. (Stanford head coach) David Shaw said he’s got the ability to be the best 3-4 nose tackle or 4-3 nose tackle in football.”

Vea said he’s comfortable moving around, having played “all across the line” at Washington. He said NFL teams have talked with him about lining up in a more aggressive stance to take advantage of his quick first step.

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Washington's (50) Vita Vea (DL) shoves Washington State's (4) Luke Falk (GB) out of the back of the end zone during the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars on November 25, 2017 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. Washington won 41-14 over Washington State at the 110th Apple Cup. (Photo by Jesse Beals/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) less SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Washington's (50) Vita Vea (DL) shoves Washington State's (4) Luke Falk (GB) out of the back of the end zone during the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the ... more Photo: Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images Photo: Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close Milpitas alum Vita Vea climbs NFL draft boards 1 / 10 Back to Gallery

As Mayock said, Vea was quick enough — even at 270 pounds — to play running back at Milpitas High School. He was given a shot at quarterback — once, as he recalled Saturday.

“I was focusing too much on throwing the perfect pass that when my time came to throw that ball to the receiver down the field, I chucked that ball like 30 feet up in the air and it was gone,” Vea said. “And there were my quarterback dreams — up in the air. Lost with the wind.”

Still, Vea sensed early where his future would be. He said the players he studied most on video were Hall of Fame defensive tackle Reggie White and Smith, the former anchor of the 49ers defense’ that led the team to three consecutive NFC Championship Games (2011-13 seasons). Having grown up in the area, Vea was asked if he cheered for the 49ers or Raiders.

“I wasn’t really a fan,” Vea said. “I guess I was born into the 49ers. My whole family, they love the 49ers over the Raiders. So, I guess I was in that territory of the Bay Area.”

Vea said he’d met informally at the combine with new Raiders defensive line coach Mike Trgovac. Vea was diplomatic when asked about the possibility of being drafted by either Bay Area team (at No. 9, the 49ers pick just ahead of the Raiders).

“I guess anybody would say that would be awesome to play back home,” Vea said. “That would be a great start to anybody’s career.”

The Raiders’ defense last season ranked 23rd in yards allowed per game and was 24th in sacks. General manager Reggie McKenzie said last week that when evaluating defensive linemen this offseason, the Raiders “want to get guys that get off the ball and create havoc, making plays and being physical up front.”

Vea could fit that mold. Last week in Indianapolis, though, the 23-year-old simply was enjoying a preview of life at the NFL level.

“It’s every little kid’s dream to be here, growing up to be an NFL star,” Vea said. “Finally making it here, it’s kind of surreal to me. I’m just enjoying it, taking it all in and living in the moment.”