Patriots Sign Rookie DL Eathyn Manumaleuna, Release Seali’i Epenesa

The New England Patriots signed rookie free agent defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna and released rookie free agent DL Seali’i Epenesa, the team announced Monday.

The 25-year-old Manumaleuna was signed by the New York Giants as a rookie free agent out of Brigham Young University in May, but was cut by the team on Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 305-pounder played in 56 games during his college career, recording 143 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Manumaleuna played as a true freshman in 2007 before serving a two-year mission. He then returned to the Cougars’ starting lineup in 2010, but suffered a knee injury four games into his senior season in 2012 and was granted a medical redshirt. Manumaleua started all 13 games in 2013 and was also named to the FBS All-Independent First Team.

After going undrafted out of UCLA, the Patriots signed Epenesa in June. The 22-year-old finished with 46 tackles and one sack during 41 games in his four-year college career. Epenesa posted 16 tackles in seven starts as a senior.

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