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Raiders Sign Massive Former Rugby Star, Release Veteran DE

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin C. Boyd | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 6:07 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have added over 20 new players to the roster between undrafted and free agency, and the NFL Draft. However, they didn't stop there.

The Raiders have participated in the NFL's International Player Pathway program for the last couple of seasons by giving a roster spot to Nigerian defensive lineman David Ebuka Agoha.

They are continuing to participate, but that means Agoha isn't going to be on the roster. The Raiders announced on Wednesday that they are signing defensive lineman Laki Tasi, a former rugby player out of Goodna, Australia.

To make room on the roster, the Raiders waived Agoha.

Tasi is an athletic specimen. He's 6-foot-6, 348 pounds, but can still move really well. He's also only 21 years old.

Though Tasi is of Samoan descent, he grew up in Australia playing rugby. His weight had previously ballooned up to 450 pounds before he cut 100 pounds in 2023.

That's when he joined the Queensland Samoa rugby club. Former NFL executive Scott Pioli did a breakdown of four prospects to watch at the 2025 International Player Pathway program pro day.

Tasi made an appearance on the list.

"The 21-year-old has played at the highest levels of rugby in Australia, picking up the sport in his early teens and eventually playing in the rugby league and rugby union," Pioli wrote in March for NFL.com. "At 6-6, 348 pounds with 34-inch arms, Tasi has very good size and the tools to be a big interior defensive lineman, along with the toughness and makeup to play in the trenches. He possesses a strong and intriguing combination of developmental tools, stature and mindset."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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