Mike Fafaul went to UCLA where he played sparingly for the Bruins as a backup (behind Brett Hundley and Josh Rosen) until 2016. Participating in 8 contests, Mike threw for 1602 yards (135 of 259 passes) for 12 TDs and 11 interceptions. He set a school record when he threw 40 completions, 5 TD passes and a bit over 500 yards against Utah. Going unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Fafaul went to a few mini camps in the NFL (Ravens, Redskins) and CFL.
Ultimately he’d end up as Tommy Grady’s backup playing for the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. During his rookie season Mike was 3 of 9 for 18 yards and an interception. In 2019, he was spotted in Austin working with The Spring League. Mike later signed with the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League.
Cards: Sage 2017, Sage 2017 Red, Sage 2017 Peak Performance, Topps AAF 2019 Acquired: IP 2018, San Antonio Commanders AAF Season Ticket Holders Party. IP 2019, San Antonio Commanders v Arizona Hotshots
I pretty much pegged that Trevor Knight would show up at the season holders ticket party for the San Antonio Commanders unveiling party, being that he is an SA native. Once the team had announced that he was a member of the franchise I rushed to find any cards of his. I was surprised to find that Sage had made both a base set card of his and also a Peak Performance card- which I luckily got in the last box I broke into a few weeks before the event.
He wandered up with his family to the gates and blended in. It was a pretty low key introductory event for fans and players. It was easy to go up and talk to Trevor. He did not have his card, so I gave him the two extra I had, to which he told me that, “I was the man.” (Lol. Anyway- compliment taken.) We talked for a few minutes and he caught me up on his NFL travels. After a short stint in Arizona, he landed on the Falcons roster- but broke a few bones in his back ending his time there.
Trevor split college ball time at both Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Losing out to Baker Mayfield for the QB job in 2015- Knight bolted down to AtM to play for the Aggies in 2016. There he had his finest college season completing 193 of 362 passes for 2432 yards, 19 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. A dual threat on the ground, he rushed 102 times for 614 yards and 10 TDs.
Trevor is from San Antonio, so it makes sense that he plays in his hometown for the Comamnders, but the team saw otherwise. Apparently the Commanders were stocked at quarterback, with Dustin Vaughan, Trevor, and Luis Perez all coveted by other teams around the league. The AAF decided to balance out the QB position on the rosters of each team by holding a QB Draft in which you pick or protect a player each round. The consensus was that SA was going to hang onto Knight, but in a surprise- the Commanders opted to keep former Dallas Cowboy Dustin Vaughan instead. Trevor didn’t have to wait long to hear his named called as later that round the Arizona Hotshots selected him with their 6th pick.
Instead of starting Trevor at QB, the Hotshots went with John Wolford. Knight settled into the backup role and has seen some spot duty. His most extensive action came during week 3 against the Stallions when he threw for 95 yards on 8 of 18 throws. He scored his first TD of the season against the Fleet in week 7 when he rushed 4 times for 10 yards.
Knight remembered me from the meet and greet and came over to sign his AAF card with Wolford during that final game in San Antonio. I still think he’s got the juice and might find a home in the XFL in 2020.
Malik Hooker came on strong and fast during his 2016 campaign playing for Ohio State. He tallied 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, and 7 interceptions for 181 yards, and count ’em 3… that’s 3 TDs. A Consensus All-American that year, he declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
The 2017 Draft was an interesting one, as it was laden was defensive talent, especially in the secondary. Still Malik’s raw talent, range, and instincts carried him high into the first round, where he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick. Despite fighting nagging injuries early in the year, Malik managed to record an interception in 3 straight contests, and tallied 22 total tackles, in 6 games before blowing out both his ACL and MCL. Rehabilitation went well for Hooker and he finished ahead of schedule for 2018.
Malik ended up starting 14 contests for the Colts in 18. He’d add another 44 tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
