WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — It's a true story of a hometown boy who did good for the Westhampton community: Their own Dylan Laube, 24, was recently drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders — and made it to the top of the National Football Association.
It's a dream come true for Laube, a 2018 Westhampton Beach High School graduate who knew from the age of five where his journey would lead.
Describing the moment he found out he had been drafted, Laube told Patch, “It was the best day of my life! All the hard work I put into this sport and my dream of being an NFL player finally came true. The day it was Crazy From noon to 5 p.m., there was so much anxiety about not knowing what was going to happen — seeing guys get drafted by teams that I assumed would take me was pretty scary got a call from the GM of the Raiders — and it turned out to be the best day ever.”
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The Las Vegas Raiders said they selected Dylan Laube out of New Hampshire with the 208th overall pick.
“The Westhampton, N.Y., native was one of the top FCS prospects in the draft class, leading in all-purpose yards in 2022 (194.3) and 2023 (209.5),” the Raiders wrote. “He totaled 43 total touchdowns in 46 games played in his college career. The FCS All-American also made his presence felt on special teams, averaging over 31 yards per punt return and over 11 yards a punt return in 2023. Named CAA Special Teams Player of the Year He is the first player to be drafted by the University of New Hampshire since defensive tackle Jared Smith in 2013.
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Laube said his passion for the sport was born at age five, playing in a pee-wee league at Eastport-South Manor, playing with his older brother and his dad as coach.
“For Westhampton, I played running back and fullback and returned the ball on special teams. My biggest accomplishment in high school was winning the first Long Island title in school history. I'll never forget that day.”
Laube was a legacy at Westhampton Beach High School: Laube, a running back, dazzled with a career-high 2,680 yards on 249 carries and 47 touchdowns in just his senior year. He became a hometown hero when he led WHB to its first win. of LIC after 28 years, where he scored six touchdowns and ran for 227 yards,” according to the Westhampton Beach High School release.
Laube then attended the University of New Hampshire. “College football is completely different than high school. It's a real job. You're doing football activities all day while trying to manage college classes, which aren't easy,” he said.
His role models are both his parents Kyle and Noel and his older brother Devin, Laube said. “They were there for me from day 1. When no one else believed in me, they did. Whatever I needed to succeed, they were there to provide me or help me fulfill my NFL dream. Now I'm trying to be a role model for my younger brother Deegan, who plays football at Holy Cross.”
His family, Laube said, “are the only ones who sacrificed everything to help me get to where I am today. For that, I thank them so much. I love you guys forever.”
He added: “There are definitely a lot of challengers still out there, especially in the community – but to everyone else who has been in my corner, thank you so much! Westhampton Beach will always run through my veins.”
Reflecting on what character traits have helped him reach such dizzying levels of success, Laube said, “My hard work. Nobody knows what I put into this game; a lot of people think they do, but they don't. So many early practices and late nights trying to be the best player I could be, I'm not the best athlete or the strongest or the fastest — but I'll coach anybody in that area.''
Looking ahead, Laube said he has new heights to scale. Ten years later, he hopes to see himself in the Hall of Fame. “I want to make an impact on the future generation,” he said. “I hope I can be a symbol of hope for them and show them what hard work and dedication can really do. I see myself in 10 years living my life to the fullest. Hopefully I'm still in the NFL because the football is my passion — I never want it to end.”
The best advice he's ever been given, Laube said, is true: “When you think you've done enough, do more!”
To the little boys just starting out with a dream, Laube said he hopes to lead by example. “I hope I can be an inspiration to everyone and be an example and role model for the next generation. Always dream big — that's what I did.”
The future awaits: On Thursday, Laube leaves for practice in Las Vegas.
When asked what he's most looking forward to on his journey, Laube said, “Competing with the best of the best. I love the competition and I'm looking forward to playing against other NFL players and continuing to prove the naysayers wrong.”
His experience so far has instilled valuable life lessons: “Whatever you put your mind to, you'll be surprised what you can achieve. It may not come tomorrow or the day after – but be patient and put it down and work. “
Speaking to Patch about Laube's incredible success, cousin Kym Laube said she wasn't surprised at all: “When Dylan told you in fourth grade he was going to the NFL, you never doubted it. This kid was laser-focused on what he wanted in life, and he set his arrow towards that goal and never let off the gas pedal.”
He added: “I often get mistaken for his parent or aunt when I'm actually his cousin. And although I often joke that I was the first speaker he heard, credit goes to his parents and siblings for creating an environment. This led to Dylan's success.
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