The Las Vegas Raiders are continuing their search for untapped talent across the globe and have added a powerful new presence to their defensive line—Samoan-Australian rugby player Laki Tasi.
Tasi, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 348 pounds, is joining the Raiders as a defensive lineman. At just 21 years old, he becomes not only the largest player on the Raiders roster but also one of the biggest players currently in the NFL.
Before making the jump to American football, Tasi played for the Ashgrove GPS Rugby Club in Australia’s Queensland Premier Rugby Union. His move to the NFL comes through the league’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program, marking his first time on an NFL team.
Tasi’s size and rugby background give him the potential to be a powerful force on the interior of the Raiders’ defensive front. His addition could help strengthen a line that continues to evolve.
As part of the IPP program, the Raiders receive a roster exemption for Tasi, meaning his presence does not count against the team’s standard player limit. The Raiders previously added defensive end David Agoha through the same program, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to developing international talent.
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