Laekin Vakalahi

Laekin Vakalahi
No. 78 – Los Angeles Chargers
PositionOffensive tackle
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-01-28) 28 January 2003
Auckland, New Zealand
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight327 lb (148 kg)
Career information
NFL draft2024: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Laekin Vakalahi (born 28 January 2003)[1] is a New Zealand-Australian professional American football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) and former rugby league player.

Early life

Vakalahi was born in Auckland, New Zealand and played junior rugby league in Brisbane for the Ormeau Shearers. He later moved to Melbourne where he played basketball.[2] After a chance encounter in Hawaii with his family and Bill Carey, a friend of Philadelphia Eagles international scout Chris Naeole who was impressed by his 35-inch arms 83–inch wingspan. He was given an official try-out and he began to train at Conquest Athletic Performance in Australia, previously used by Baltimore Ravens' Daniel Faalele.[3][4][5][6]

American football career

Philadelphia Eagles

After completing a six-week training camp, Vakalahi was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in May 2024 on a three-year international development contract.[2][5][6] In pre-season in 2024 he played left tackle.[7] He won a Super Bowl championship when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX.[8]

Vakalahi signed a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia on February 14, 2025.[9] He was waived by the Eagles on August 26 as a part of the team's final roster cuts.[10]

Los Angeles Chargers

On May 12, 2026, Vakalahi was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers.[11]

Personal life

Vakalahi's parents are Frank and Mary Vakalahi. He has four siblings, including a younger brother Kobe Vakalahi. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he spent two years completing his mission service in Wellington, New Zealand prior to 2024.[12][2][5] He is a citizen of New Zealand.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Laekin Vakalahi". Fox Sports. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Horesh, Laurence (3 May 2024). "Eagles at it again, sign raw 300-pound Aussie Laekin Vakalahi". ESPN. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  3. ↑ McMullen, John (8 June 2024). "Why Can't Lightning Strike Twice With The Eagles?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  4. ↑ Kramer, Kelsey (6 May 2024). "Eagles' latest signing Laekin Vakalahi is Jordan Mailata 2.0". AtoZsports.com. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "Philadelphia Eagle Soars as He Puts the Lord First". Pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Dayal, Zion (16 May 2024). "How a dad's trip to Hawaii got his son signed to the NFL". 1news.co.nz. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  7. ↑ Zangaro, Dave (28 August 2024). "Eagles practice squad tracker 2024: Filling out the 17-man squad". nbcsportsphikadelphia. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Maaddi, Rob (10 February 2025). "Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat with dominant defense in a 40-22 rout". AP News. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  9. ↑ "Eagles sign 13 players to Reserve/Futures deals ahead of 2025 NFL free agency". Eagles Wire. USA Today. 15 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Eagles announce their initial 53-man roster". philadelphiaeagles.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  11. ↑ Alper, Josh (12 May 2026). "Chargers sign TE Johnny Pascuzzi, S Myles Purchase, OL Laekin Vakalahi". NBC Sports. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Toone, Trent (8 October 2024). "NFL player attends general conference with his family from Australia". The Church. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
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