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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Football's Iosua Silvia invited to Indianapolis Colts Camp

Austin Peay State University Football’s Iosua Silvia invited to Indianapolis Colts Camp

APSU Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Sports - APSU - Governors - Lady GovsClarksville, TN – Former Austin Peay State University defensive lineman Iosua Siliva has signed a free-agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts and will join the franchise next week for rookie mini-camp. Siliva, who rotated between defensive tackle and defensive end during his collegiate career, projects as a linebacker in the Colts 3-4 scheme.

Siliva was a preseason all-conference choice prior to the 2013 season by Phil Steele Magazine, and was on the Senior Bowl’s Preseason Watch list.

Austin Peay defensive lineman Iosua Siliva. (Brittney Sparn/APSU Sports Information)

Unfortunately, a leg fracture limited Siliva to 13 tackles in eight games last season. He ended his Austin Peay career with 78 total tackles, including 17 for loss, in 41 games.

“It’s great that he gets a chance go to the next level,” said Austin Peay head coach Kirby Cannon. “He had tough luck with injuries last year and never really had a chance to be healthy after the Eastern Kentucky game. Our expectations were high for him and the injuries were just too much. Really thrilled he’s got this opportunity.”

His success extended to the classroom as well. The 6-5, 250-pounder from American Samoa graduated from Austin Peay on Friday morning with a degree in Agriculture-Sustainable Development. He earned a long list of academic honors during and after his senior season, including CoSIDA Academic All-America, FCS Athletics Directors Association All-Star, an induction into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Society, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Team and was a finalist for the Ashe Award.

Siliva makes it two years in a row that a Gov will join an NFL team in rookie camp, after Devin Stark spent time with the Washington Redskins during last offseason. Jeff Gooch, an Austin Peay Hall of Famer and 10-year NFL veteran, got his start as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996.

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