Image courtesy of Las Vegas Raiders
FOXBOROUGH – If you watched any of UNH’s games from 2019-2023, you know how much of a weapon Dylan Laube was, particularly as a returner.
Now, in his third NFL season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Laube is making his mark on special teams.
Heading into this weekend’s slate of games, Laube leads the league in average yards per kickoff return (33.4), helping the Raiders to the league’s seventh best average despite having just four returns total. Laube has 234 yards total on kickoff returns.
So, what makes him so good? I asked special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer on Thursday.
“Man, he hits it man, he’s confident in his ability,” Springer said. “He’s a lot faster than he looks. He runs through the smoke. He’s fearless. He’s got good contact balance. He makes really good decisions. He’s doing everything they ask from him.
“He’s playing at a really high level because of it.”
Kicker Andy Borregales doesn’t have to change much in terms of his game, but everyone is aware of what Laube can do if he gets a crease. Laube’s longest return so far this season is 53-yards.
“Every week is kind of the same from my end,” said Borregales. “The only thing that changes is our game plan. But, it’s kind of…just got to focus on me whenever I’m out there. Making sure I’m in the landing area and making sure guys can get down there and cover.”
While Borregales won’t have to do anything differently, guys like Erick Hunter and Namdi Obiazor have watched the film and know they’ve got to be locked in on their assignments.
“Yeah, he’s pretty good man,” said Hinter. “The biggest thing is, you go into every week studying these returners and all the guys you’re going to be matched up with. The biggest thing is, you just want to make sure that at the end of the day, you’re getting the ball down. Just keep it simple. I try not to overthink the game. but he’s a really good returner. He has a good bit of speed. He put some good things on tape and I’m looking forward to playing him.”
“I’d say he’s a great returner and they’ve also got great guys blocking for him,” added Obiazor. “From what I’ve seen, he kind of just tries to get vertical, which I feel like is good and productive. Just take as much yardage as you can get. I’d say for us on the kick return, builingd a wall, being sound and just fitting where you’re supposed to fit, not jumping out of gaps. Build a wall and make it hard for him.”
Laube will undoubtedly be looking to make a splash in the return game on Sunday roughly 95 miles from where he made a name for himself as a Wildcat.
If the Patriots allow him to, it could spell trouble in a sneaky very important game.