'My mindset is that I'm never satisfied': How Las Vegas native Jonah Laulu has earned meaningful reps in rookie season

Nov 26, 2024 at 06:31 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

With local media surrounding Jonah Laulu as he was sitting in his locker last Thursday, Maxx Crosby walked by the scrum of reporters trying to get to his own locker.

He stopped to peek and see who was being interviewed with a soft smile, giving Laulu a head nod of acknowledgement and continued walking to his own locker.

Not only do the two have lockers close to each other, but they've been spending more time next to the each other on the field as well. Laulu become a rotational three-technique tackle for the Raiders following Christian Wilkins being placed on injured reserve. The rookie has started the last two games, compiling 70 defensive snaps, three total tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection.

"I've just been quiet and just watching," Laulu said, describing his demeanor since joining the Raiders in August. "I've just been trying to be more present rather than speaking. Being seen and not heard."

The former Oklahoma Sooner was drafted in the seventh round by the Indianapolis Colts back in May. At the end of training camp with four total tackles in the preseason, he was waived at final roster cutdowns.

Shortly after, he was picked up off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders, the hometown team of the Centennial High School alum. He caught the staff's attention at their local Pro Day before the draft. Still fresh on their radar, picking up Laulu was a no-brainer.

"I'm excited about Jonah," said Rob Leonard, defensive line coach. "He's humble and hungry and talented and has been in some systems where in college, he's stunting and moving every play. But this kid, I'm excited about him."

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Laulu said he went through a bit of a rough patch at the beginning of the season trying to properly find his place on the team. After having learned the Colts playbook for the better part of four months, he quickly had to adjust in Las Vegas.

"I was kind of going through it because I'm used to be a smarter person when it comes to getting things off the bat," Laulu said. "When I wasn't getting it, things the way I wanted to, it kind of messed with me. But thankfully, I'm from here and I got to go to my mom's house and be around my friends and everybody's supporting me.

"My friends were literally telling me ... be yourself bro," he added. "Go out there, be yourself, let your character show with your play. It's been chipping away, I've been stepping more out of my comfort zone and being more of myself and it's shown with my play at practice."

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has made it known that Laulu's rising snap count rising is all part of the progress and domination he's shown throughout the week.

"Jonah, I mean I'm telling you these last four weeks, the practice tape has been outstanding," Graham said. "And like, I'm not saying that just to be dramatic or anything like that, it's just rep after rep after rep. ... Jonah, the last four weeks his practice, as many D-linemen I've been around, been outstanding. It's been outstanding. I'll tell you that. From his footwork, strike, his eye progression, his effort to the ball ... But I mean, the kid has put in the work."

Going into the 12th game of his career this Friday, he'll have eyes on three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. With the stage set, the rookie knows to continue to lean on his training as he's could help play a big role on the road.

"I feel like I'm learning something new every day, which I feel is good for my progression as a rookie and as a young player," Laulu said. "My mindset is that I'm never satisfied. No matter how much they try and praise me, say how [much] I've been getting better every week, my mindset is that I'm never satisfied because if I get satisfied with little accomplishments like that, I'll never going reach my full potential.

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Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41), quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the coin toss before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.