The New Jersey Generals re-signed linebacker D’Juan Hines and defensive back Shalom Luani on Sunday.
D’Juan Hines is six foot one and weighs 235 pounds. The 28-year-old from Spring, Texas, made 75 tackles (30 solo, 45 assists), one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups in ten games for the Generals in 2023.
The Generals drafted Hines in the 29th round (238th pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. In his first season, Hines made 78 tackles (52 solo, 26 assists), six tackles for loss, and five pass breakups in ten games.
Before New Jersey, Hines signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He later spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. In 2020, he played five games for the New York Guardians (XFL) with 19 tackles (6 solo, 13 assists), and one interception. In 2021, he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks but was released on July 29, 2021.
Collegiately, Hines played five seasons at the University of Houston (2013-17) with 171 tackles (95 solo, 76 assists), eight tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in 48 games for the Cougars. He was named First Team The American All-Conference in 2017, and a three-time American All-Academic Team.
Shalom Luani is six foot and weighs 201 pounds. The 28-year-old from Pago Pago, American Samoa, made 44 tackles (30 solo, 14 assists), two tackles for loss, one interception, and one pass breakup in nine games for the Generals in 2023.
The Generals drafted Luani in the 18th round (142nd pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. In his first season, Luani made 31 tackles (24 solo, 7 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, and nine pass breakups in eight games in 2022.
Before New Jersey, Luani played soccer in the ASFA Soccer League’s Tafuna Jets. The Oakland Raiders drafted Luani in the seventh round (221st pick) in the 2017 NFL Draft, which made him the first American Samoa-born player to be drafted by the organization.
He made 18 tackles for the Raiders in his rookie season. He played 31 career games in the NFL. In addition, he would later spend time with the Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Chargers. In 2021, he played for the Jousters (TSL).
Collegiately, Luani played two seasons at City College of San Francisco (2013-14) with 118 tackles (84 solo, 34 assists), one sack, 11 interceptions for 387 yards, and three touchdowns in 24 games for the Rams. He helped the Rams appear in the 2014 State Title game.
In addition, he was named First Team All-American, California Community College Defensive Player of the Year, Region I First Team All-California, and Region I Defensive Player of the Year
Then, Luani transferred to Washington State (2015-16) with 148 tackles (111 solo, 37 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions for 199 yards, one touchdown, 20 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 24 games for the Cougars. He was named First Team All-Pac 12 in 2016.
