LOCALS IN THE NFL
Former BYU Defensive Lineman Signs Deal With 49ers
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Brigham Young defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile has signed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers following a recent workout for the team.
The 49ers announced the signing on Friday, July 29. San Francisco also signed defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche from the same workout.
Former @USFLGamblers DL Tomasi Laulile is signing with the #49ers. pic.twitter.com/DG22sgktsk
— USFL (@USFL) July 29, 2022
About Tomasi Laulile
Laulile played for BYU during the 2013-16 season.
During his time with the Cougars, the Westlake, California native played in 33 games. He finished his BYU career with five sacks and 47 total tackles. He also intercepted one pass, forced a fumble while recover two fumbles.
Three seasons since his last NFL action, the 27-year old free agent last spent time in the NFL when he signed a reserve/futures contracts with the New Orleans Saints in January 2019. He was waived by the Saints that spring.
The big defensive tackle played for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in 2022.
He burst on to the scene with a huge performance against the New Jersey Generals on Sunday, May 22.
Shortly before halftime with the Generals owning a 14-13 lead, Houston’s Chris Odom forced a fumble in the backfield and Laulile gathered in the football for his first fumble recovery of the game.
.@Chrisodom98 with the forced fumble✔️
Tomasi Laulile with the pick up ✔️📺: @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/we6UKCCRfI
— Houston Gamblers (@USFLGamblers) May 22, 2022
Later in the game, Houston found itself down 20-19 and in need of another big play with only six minutes left on the game clock.
Another Generals fumble and Laulile picked it up before returning the football 54 yards to the end zone for a Gamblers touchdown. The scoop and score put Houston in front 25-20.
🚨BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN🚨
Tomasi Laulile finds the end zone after another forced fumble from @Chrisodom98
📺: @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/fDIcJ6QdJh
— Houston Gamblers (@USFLGamblers) May 22, 2022
Unfortunately for Laulile and the Gamblers, New Jersey scored with two seconds left in the game to claim a 26-25 victory.
Laulile finished the game with one tackle, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco finished 2021 with a 10-7 record, sneaking in to the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. They would go on to beat Dallas 23-17 in the Wild Card round and Green Bay 13-10 in the Divisional round. The run came to an end at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game, losing 20-17.
Laulile will fight an uphill battle for playing time as San Francisco has one of the top defensive lines in the league anchored by Nick Bosa off the edge and Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw up the middle.
The 49ers open their preseason schedule against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, August 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (MST).
