2022-23: Blue Bombers

Eli signed a three-year deal with the club on January 18, 2023 after not playing during the 2022 CFL season. In 2023 he dressed for 15 regular season games plus the Western Final and Grey Cup and made one start in the win over the B.C. Lions in October.
He played a key role as a rotational lineman for an offence that led the CFL in scoring while Zach Collaros paced the league in touchdown passes and Brady Oliveira earned his first rushing title.

2021: Blue Bombers

Eli signed a three-year deal to return to the club on January 18, 2023 after sitting out the 2022 CFL season.

In 2021 he played a key role as a rotational component along the club’s veteran offensive line in 2o21 while suiting up for all 14 regular season games – including four starts – plus the Western Final.

2019: Blue Bombers

Eli, who goes by ‘Tui’, was another member of the Bomber excellent 2019 CFL Draft class. Selected in the fourth round, 34th overall, Eli dressed for five games in the regular season, serving a back-up centre and sixth offensive lineman in short-yardage situations and is considered a solid prospect going forward.

College:

A product of the University of Hawai’i, he appeared in 36 games over three seasons with the Rainbow Warriors. A redshirt junior in 2017, Eli was a key member of the line that helped UH to its best rushing average (168.2) in 22 years and recorded 22 knockdowns on the season. Eli was named to the pre-season Rimington Award watch list for the second straight year in 2017 and was also named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List prior to the season.

He missed the 2018 season with a knee injury, but had his interest in the game revived through a family connection with Blue Bombers Assistant GM and Director of U.S. Scouting Danny McManus.