WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — It’s a true story of a hometown boy done good that’s got the W%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%% esthampton community beaming with pride: Their very own Dylan Laube, 24, was drafted recently by the Las Vegas Raiders — and has reached the pinnacle of the National Football League.
It’s a dream come true for Laube, a 2018 Westhampton Beach High School graduate, who knew from the time he was five years old where his journey would lead.
Describing the moment when he learned he’d 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 becoming an NFL player finally came true. The day 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 before me on teams I assumed were going to take me was very scary. But at about 5:20 p.m. I got a call from the GM of the Raiders —and it became the best day ever.”
The Las Vegas Raiders said they selected running back Dylan Laube from New Hampshire with the 208th overall pick.
“The Westhampton, New York, native was one of the top FCS prospects in his draft class, leading in all-purpose yards in 2022 (194.3) and 2023 (209.5),” the Raiders wrote. “He totaled 43 total touchdowns within 46 games played in his collegiate career. The FCS All-American also made his presence felt on special teams, averaging over 31 yards per kick return and over 11 yards a punt return in 2023. He was named CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. He’s the first player to be drafted from the University of New Hampshire since defensive tackle Jared Smith in 2013.”
Laube said his passion for the sport was born at five, playing in a pee-wee league in Eastport-South Manor, playing with his older brother and his dad as the coach.
“For Westhampton, I played running back, and linebacker and returned the ball on special teams. My greatest high school football accomplishment was winning the first Long Island class title in school history. That day I will never forget.”
Laube was the stuff of legacy while attending Westhampton Beach High School: Laube, as running back, dazzled with a “record 2,680 rushing yards on 249 carries and 47 touchdowns in just his senior year. He became the hometown hero when he led WHB to their first LIC win in 28 years, where he scored six touchdowns and rushed for 227 yards,” according to the Westhampton Beach High School publication.
Next, Laube attended the University of New Hampshire. “College football is completely different from high school. It’s an actual job. You’re doing football activities all day long while trying to manage your college classes, which are not easy,” he said.
His role models are both his parents Kyle and Noel and his older brother Devin, Laube said. “They have been by my side since Day 1. When no one else believed in me, they did. Whatever I needed to succeed, they were right there providing me or helping me fulfill my dream as an NFL running back. Now I’m trying to be a role model for my younger brother Deegan, who is playing football at Holy Cross.”
His family, Laube said, “are the only ones who sacrificed everything to help get me where I am today. So, to them, thank you so much. I love you guys forever.”
He added: “There are definitely a lot of doubters 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 helped him to reach such dizzying levels of success, Laube said: “My hard work. No one knows what I put into this game; a lot of people think they know, but they don’t. So many early workouts and late nights trying to be the best player I could possibly be. I’m not the best athlete or strongest or fastest — but I will outwork anyone in that field.”
Looking ahead, Laube said he has new heights to scale. Ten years down the line, 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 to 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 football is my passion — I never want it to end.”
The best advice anyone has ever given him, Laube said, rings true: “When you think you have done enough, do more!”
To little boys just starting out with a dream, Laube said he hopes to lead by example. “I hope I can be an inspiration to all and to be the example and the standard for the next generation. Always dream big — that’s what I did.”
The future awaits: On Thursday, Laube leaves for training camp in Las Vegas.
When asked what he’s looking forward to most on his journey, Laube said: “Competing against the best of the best. I love competition, and I can’t wait to play against other NFL players and to keep proving the doubters wrong.”
His experience so far has imbued valuable life lessons: “Whatever you put your mind to, you’d be surprised what you can accomplish. It may not come tomorrow or the day after that — but be patient and put that head down and work.”
Speaking with Patch about Laube’s incredible success, cousin Kym Laube said she wasn’t the least bit surprised: “When Dylan told you in fourth grade that he was going to be in the NFL, you never once doubted it. This kid got laser focused on what he wanted in his life, and he set his arrow toward that goal and never let up on the gas pedal.”
She added: “I am often confused as his parent or his aunt, when I am actually his cousinby marriage. And although I often joke that I was the first motivational speaker he had heard, credit goes to his parents and siblings for creating an environment that has led to Dylan’s success. They did it together.”
