Four weeks into the NFL season, former University of New Hampshire star running back Dylan Laube is still waiting for his big break after being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 208th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 draft.

“The biggest difference is you’re playing against the best of the best,” said Laube. “You compete every single day and every second of the day, so it’s definitely a little bit stressful at the same time. Like, that’s your dream as well.”

Laube he made the cut for the 53-man roster during training camp and is currently fourth on the Raiders’ depth chart behind Zamir White, Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah in the running back room. Although he impressed in the preseason, Laube has been a healthy scratch for their initial three games and hasn’t hit the field yet.

“This is a game of attrition. People are going to get nicked up. He’s going to get his opportunity, and then when he does, just needs to take advantage of it,” said Wildcats head coach Rick Santos.

In training camp, the 5-foot-10, 208lb, rookie was given opportunities in practice with the first and second team. His preseason was decent, producing 28 yards on 10 carries and one reception for six yards, but he did have one fumble.

“The biggest thing is definitely hard work. I think everybody here has skill. But the difference between the best of the best is their work ethic,” said Laube. “That’s my game. It’s that guy that just works hard, who goes 110% every single play.”

Before the season began, Pro Football Focus’ Jonathan Macri listed him as a fantasy football “sleeper” because of his versatility as a pass-receiver in comparison to the others on the depth chart. He was a jack of all trades during his time as a Wildcat, which in-turn earned him looks from scouts.

“I think where he really came along was football IQ, how much he studied, how well he prepared, because his last couple years, he really could run any route, any run that we had in the game plan,” said Santos. “You knew that he was going to hit the hole accordingly, make the cuts we needed to keep it in the box or bounce it. And it’s a testament to how he prepared, how he studied. His biggest progression is what he did mentally. He was always kind of a film freak.”

Coming out of his hometown in Westhampton, N.Y., Laube only received one college offer, which was from UNH.

He redshirted as a freshman but broke out as a highlight tape machine his sophomore year. He had a chip on his shoulder after getting overlooked in college and has risen to the pinnacle of the sport by making it to the NFL.

In college, Laube first played behind running back Carlos Washington Jr. (who is now on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad) but eventually earned more snaps, which caused Washington Jr. to transfer to Southeastern Louisiana.

“I think that ultimately was the reason why Carlos left. He wanted to be the focal point, and at that point, we officially turned the reins over to Dylan, and he ran with it,” Santos said.

“I think he always had the explosive ability and could make people miss and all that stuff.”

During his time at UNH he recorded 749 rushing yards, an equally impressive 699 receiving yards and a total of 2,095 all-purpose yards over five seasons. He had nine rushing touchdowns, seven receiving touchdowns. He was a go-to option for UNH from the backfield, on kick and punt returns and downfield on screens, play-action, short check downs and slants.

“I think it’d be hard pressed to find someone that’s going to outwork him. You know, he was somebody who would absolutely love the weight room. He loved 6am workouts,” said Santos. “It’s his elite work ethic. I think he takes care of his body really, really well. He’s a fitness freak. He eats well, very cognizant of what he puts into his body.”

His versatility and work clearly caught the eye of the Raiders’ scouts and have earned him a spot competing for snaps in the NFL.

“It’s a long season too, and I’m on this team for a reason,” said Laube. “It’s a patience game.”