Westhampton Beach Grad drafted into NFL: Best day of my life

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY – It’s a true story of a hometown boy who did good and has the Westhampton community beaming with pride: their own Dylan Laube, 24, was recently drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders – and has the highlight of National Football Reaches Competition.

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.

Subscribe

Describing the moment he learned 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 becoming an NFL player has finally come true. From noon to 5 p.m. there was so much fear that I didn’t know what was going to happen – it was very scary to see guys ahead of me getting drafted to teams that I thought would take me call from the GM of the Raiders – and it turned out to be the best day ever.”

The Las Vegas Raiders said they selected New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube 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 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 per punt return in 2023. He was named CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. He is the first player drafted from the University of New Hampshire since defensive tackle Jared Smith in 2013.”

Laube said his passion for the sport started at the age of five. He played in a pee-wee league in Eastport-South Manor, playing with his older brother and his father as coach.

“For Westhampton, I played running back and linebacker and returned the ball on special teams. My greatest football achievement in high school was winning the first Long Island division title in school history. I will never forget that day.”

Laube was the stuff of legacy when he attended Westhampton Beach High School: Laube, as a running back, dazzled with a record 2,680 rushing yards on 249 carries and 47 touchdowns in just his senior year. He became the hero of his hometown as he led WHB to their first LIC win in 28 years, scoring six touchdowns and rushing for 227 yards,” according to the Westhampton Beach High School release.

Laube then attended the University of New Hampshire. “College football is completely different from high school. It’s a real job. You spend all day doing football activities while trying to manage your college classes, which is not easy,” he said.

His role models include his parents Kyle and Noel as well as 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 there to provide or help me achieve my dream of being an NFL running back back. 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. So to them: thank you very much. I love you guys forever.”

He added: “There are certainly still many doubters, especially in the community – but to everyone else who has been in my corner, thank you! Westhampton Beach will always run through my veins.”

Reflecting on the character traits that helped him achieve such dizzying success, Laube said: “My hard work. No one knows what I put into this game; Many people think they know, but they don’t. training and late nights trying to be the best player I can be. I’m not the best athlete, nor the strongest or fastest, but I will beat anyone in that area.

Looking ahead, Laube said he has new heights to reach. 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’ll still be in the NFL, because football is my life.” passion – I never want it to end.”

The best advice anyone ever gave him, Laube says, is right: “If you think you’ve done enough, do more!”

To little boys who are 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 the example and standard for the next generation. Always dream big, that’s what I did.”

The future awaits: Laube leaves for training camp in Las Vegas on Thursday.

When asked what he is most looking forward to 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 continue to prove the doubters wrong to have.”

His experience so far has provided valuable life lessons: “Whatever you put your mind to, you’ll be surprised what you can achieve. It may not happen tomorrow or the day after – but be patient and put your head down and work.”

Speaking to 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 play in the NFL, you never doubted it. This kid became laser-focused on what he wanted in his life, and he set his sights on that goal and never let off the gas pedal.”

She added: “I’m often confused as his parent or his aunt, when I’m actually his cousin by marriage. And while I often joke that I was the first motivational speaker he had heard, the credit goes to his parents and siblings for creating an environment that led to Dylan’s success. They did it together.”