Laube and Collier trained together during the offseason working on strength, speed and agility,\u00a0 and building a close bond.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a man of character,\u201d Collier said of his friend. \u201cThink about what he does for a guy who was trying to earn the same roster spot, playing the same position, for the same NFL team. He\u2019s an incredible guy. And I would have done the same for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two had come full circle. Standing on the field at a recent Raiders practice in Las Vegas, they\u2019d realized how far they\u2019d traveled. Collier played his youth football in Inwood and Laube played for Sachem. And they played against each other at eight years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look back at our Long Island roots and we\u2019re so proud,\u201d Laube said. \u201cWe represent Long Island football.\u201d<\/p>\n
They met again in high school. And this one had everything on the line for the Long Island Class III championship in 2017<\/a>. Collier had rehabbed his way back from a brutal injury in his junior year. He suffered from a torn ACL and torn hamstring in a game at Wantagh High School, was carted from the field and his future in football very much in doubt.<\/p>\n \u201cI was determined to play my senior year,\u201d Collier said. “I got my foot caught in the turf at Wantagh and that was it. I rehabbed hard to come back. I\u2019m blessed in every way because the injury took a toll on me and really tested my resilience. I put a lot into my faith and trust in God as this was his plan. God tested me, and I\u2019ve learned how to be strong and believe.\u201d<\/p>\n Collier credited Lawrence coach Joe Martilotti \u2018as a huge influence in my life\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gave me confidence and words of affirmation when I needed them most,\u201d Collier said. \u201cEveryone needs support and love in life. Coach took the training wheels off and let me ride. I grew up watching the greatness of the Fredericks brothers in Lawrence \u2013 and a winning culture \u2013 like what Laube experienced out in Westhampton Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n Collier came back and rushed for 1,572 yards and 25 touchdowns to lead the Tornadoes to the Class III title game and a date with an old adversary \u2013 Laube.<\/p>\n Laube had one of Long Island\u2019s greatest single seasons of all time. And the undefeated Hurricanes beat\u00a0Lawrence, 54-26, to win the Long Island Class III crown. Laube scored six touchdowns and rushed for 227 yards<\/a>. Collier scored two touchdowns. \u201cDylan ran all over us, he was unstoppable,\u201d Collier said.<\/p>\n Laube finished the season with a Long Island-record 47 touchdowns and 2,680 yards rushing to lead Westhampton Beach to its first undefeated record at 12-0.<\/p>\n The two weren\u2019t done. They graduated in June of 2018 and played one last game at the high school level. Only this time — they were playing on the same team in Boomer Esiason\u2019s Empire Challenge putting the top senior all-stars from Long Island against their New York City counterparts.<\/p>\n Laube shared the Hansen Award<\/a> with co-winner Jeremy Ruckert of Lindenhurst, another phenomenal high school talent, who went on to win a national title at Ohio State and now plays tight end for the Jets. Laube called the Boomer Game a great memory.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were treated like professionals by Boomer and his staff at Hofstra,\u201d Laube said. \u201cThe game had such a professional feel from uniforms to locker rooms to the crowd.\u201d Laube went on to star at the University of New Hampshire before being drafted by the Raiders in the sixth round of the 2024 draft<\/a>. The three-time All-American still holds the NCAA Division-I record for receiving yards by a running back in a single game with 295 set in 2023.<\/p>\n Collier, 6-0, 205 pounds, went to Nassau CC, Wagner College and finished his career at Lock Haven University before signing with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent in 2024.<\/p>\n The two prepared for the biggest week of the preseason in the searing Las Vegas heat where temperatures soared as high as 115 degrees. It\u2019s the final week of training camp where teams carve out the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 102 degrees or more every day in Las Vegas,\u201d Laube said. \u201cThe Raiders have the best facilities, nutritionists, recovery and strength staff. They teach us how to hydrate properly in advance of extreme heat. I\u2019m in complete heaven here. If you\u2019re collapsing on the field that\u2019s on you. They\u2019re on us about hydration.\u201d<\/p>\n Collier and Laube both feel they\u2019ve put their best effort forward. Collier had four carries for 26 yards against the 49ers and nine carries for 42 yards against the Patriots in the first two preseason games. Laube rushed for 34 yards against the Patriots and scored the Raiders first touchdown of the preseason on a short pass from quarterback Aidan O\u2019Connell.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going really well,\u201d Laube said. \u201cWe have a bunch of studs in the running backs room. I\u2019ve been starting on all special teams and just taking it one step at a time. From year one to year two, I know what to expect, know what to do. There is no pressure on me.\u201d<\/p>\n Both players feel coach Pete Carroll is the right choice to help revitalize the once proud Raiders tradition of \u2018Just Win Baby.\u2019 Carroll, who incidentally also has somewhat of a Long Island background when he coached the Jets.<\/p>\n \u201cPete Carroll is a passionate coach and brings the juice every day,\u201d Laube said. \u201cHe is always about competing – at everything. He\u2019ll have us shoot free throws or throw footballs at goal posts in competition. He\u2019s changing the culture.\u201d<\/p>\n Laube, 5-10, 206 pounds, impressed the staff with a 59-yard kickoff return last year in his rookie season. His ability to play on all special teams has made him desirable.<\/p>\n Dylan Laube takes the kickoff back 59 yards for the @Raiders<\/a>!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa: #DENvsLV<\/a> on CBS\/Paramount+
Laube played running back and Collier moved to wide receiver as Long Island won, 21-20.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcf1: https:\/\/t.co\/waVpO8ZBqG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lkkzX3gq8x<\/a><\/p>\n