Road to the Pros: Powered by his hometown, Henry To’oTo’o prepares for NFL Draft

Road to the Pros: Powered by his hometown, Henry To’oTo’o prepares for NFL Draft

Henry To’oTo’o missed the sushi and tacos. But he also missed home. It was only fitting that the California native went back west for the most important weeks of training in his young career.

Go inside To’oTo’o’s NFL Draft prep in the latest episode of Road to the Pros. AL.com’s Emmy-winning documentary series followed To’oTo’o throughout his workouts leading up to Alabama’s pro day and the NFL Scouting Combine. Interviews with To’oTo’o’s family, coaches and trainers break down the stressful time and how To’oTo’o relied on the lessons his parents, Rima and Iese To’oTo’o, taught him.

“The training was hard,” To’oTo’o said. “We were able to go to different sites. We were hiking to the beach, doing beach workouts, swim in the ocean and things like that. It was fun.

“I’m a product of Sacramento, California, I’m gonna keep saying that. I rep my city. I love my city and I’m gonna take that everywhere I go.”

More Tide football: Reports: Notre Dame transfer QB Tyler Buchner to visit Alabama football

Under the sun, To’oTo’o found his “comfort zone” with a culture that reminded him of his Samoan and Tongan roots. He worked with Practice Sports Performance, a training gym, where To’oTo’o found other draft candidates to bond with. Owner Ryan Capretta said To’oTo’o had a kinship with Noah Sewell, an American Samoan and Oregon linebacker looking to hear his name called this weekend.

After injuries limited To’oTo’o to three weeks of training, he believed he “turned a lot of heads” in Indianapolis in front of NFL scouts and coaches. He broke down his interview process with NFL teams and which head coaches he felt a good relationship with and the lead-up to his Alabama pro day in March and how his relationship with his father gave To’oTo’o the perfect last-minute training.

“‘You know Dad, I want to finish my drills with you before I go to pro day,’” Rima To’oTo’o recalled her son telling Iese. “Even though I was so mad at him all those times, Henry knew and he knows who’s gonna help him and not just leave him stranded anywhere.”

The four-part series will conclude next Wednesday. Episode one explored To’oTo’o’s youth and the family atmosphere that propelled him to college football. Last week, To’oTo’o discussed his transfer to Tuscaloosa.