Indianapolis Colts select Jonah Laulu in seventh round of 2024 NFL Draft
The Indianapolis Colts have selected former Oklahoma defensive tackle Jonah Laulu with the No. 234 pick in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in college, including the past two with the Sooners, and will now look to make his mark in the pros.
Laulu started three of 13 games this past season at Oklahoma, all of which came during the final three games of the year. He finished with 11 tackles (three for loss) and one sack.
The 6-foot-5, 289-pound defensive lineman began his college career at Hawaii in 2018 and played four seasons with the Rainbow Warriors. He started 11 of 12 games during his final year before transferring to Oklahoma to finish with 34 tackles (8.5 for loss) four sacks and a fumble recovery.
Laulu is expected to make $4.12 million over the next four years as per the terms of his rookie contract, according to Spotrac. That will work out to around $1.03 million per year and he has a signing bonus of $101,756.
As a recruit, Laulu was a three-star prospect coming out of Centennial High School in Las Vegas. He ranked as the No. 2,391 overall player and No. 81 athlete in the 2018 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Jonah Laulu addresses what he proved at OU pro day
After showing off his skills to NFL scouts at the Sooners’ pro day, Laulu talked about what he hoped to bring to the next level.
“I think I proved that I’m an athlete,” Laulu said. “You know, some teams are worried or some may be worried that since I gained weight this past year going to the interior D-line, maybe he can’t move as well or—so I think I kind of showcased that today.”
Across the board, just a solid performance. His broad jump of 9-feet, 10 inches was top-tier. Followed that with a 36-inch vertical.
Laulu was another example of the transfer portal benefitting all parties involved. He was better for coming to OU for the last two seasons. And the Sooners needed his experience and maturity.
“I think I had a great career here. The stats aren’t always what’s most important,” he said. “The reason why I came here was to get coached up—Coach Bates and Coach Chavis; that’s all I really wanted to do was get coached up. Before I came here, I was a raw talent. I was a big dude who could move, and I don’t think—I didn’t feel like I was getting the coaching I needed, and I didn’t feel like I was getting better as a player, so when I came here, that’s all I really wanted.
“I think I got all of that. Playing defensive end my first year and learning the defense, DT and interior, learning the block recognition on the inside, man, I just think it really helped me in my career to get to the next level. So, I’m grateful that I came out. I wouldn’t change my decision at all.”