Laekin Vakalahi

Laekin Vakalahi is a New Zealand-Australian professional American football offensive tackle 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. 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.

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. In pre-season in 2024 he played left tackle.
He won a Super Bowl championship when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX.
He signed a reserve/future contract on February 14, 2025. He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.

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. He is a citizen of New Zealand.