Utah offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea projects as a starting-caliber prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Laumea leaves the Utes program after making 44 consecutive starts. Laumea was versatile enough to play both tackle and guard, adding value to his pre-draft stock.
Laumea recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about training with the Excel Sports Performance team throughout the pre-draft process, working with Joe Staley on positional drills, which NFL teams have shown interest in his services, and more.
JM: You've been training with the Excel Sports performance team, Curt Truhe and Sazi Guthrie throughout the pre-draft process. How have they made you a better athlete?
Sataoa Laumea: They found a bunch of little things to fine-tune that helped make me a better player. I felt like they knew my weaknesses going in, and they knew how to help me. It was the little things like strengthening my core. We did a better job engaging my core in pass protection and as a run blocker.
It was a lot of little stuff. With all of the training we’ve been doing, Curt and Sazi were spot-on leading up to the NFL Combine. Even though I didn’t go through every drill, I felt as well prepared as I could have been.
They did their best for me. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life because of them. I’m as sharp as I’ve ever been as a player. Props go to them for all of the work we’ve done together.
JM: You've also been working positional drills with legendary retired offensive lineman Joe Staley. That's awesome. What tips and tricks have you picked up along the way?
Sataoa Laumea: Joe Staley is an extremely detail-oriented coach. What was very different about Staley from what I was used to, it was all about landmarks in the pass game and run game. It was all about landmarks at all points. That was probably the most interesting part.
I’ve loved everything we’ve done together. I feel like it helped prepare me for the Senior Bowl as well. I thought I did very well in Mobile. Staley was a big reason behind that improvement. It was all props to him. I’m doing a better job reaching my landmarks. I’m a smarter football player now.
JM: I love that. You have a ton of experience at both guard and tackle. Speaking with scouts, working with Joe Staley, where does the league see you playing at the next level?
Sataoa Laumea: Most of them see me playing guard, and they think I could play tackle if need be.
JM: That’s great. You have that versatility. Do you see yourself playing in a zone-based system or in more of a gap/downhill power scheme?
Sataoa Laumea: I think I can do it all. I feel like I have good film in both of those schemes, especially as a run blocker in gap and zone. I can’t sell myself short by picking just one of those systems. I’ve never really thought about one over the other. I feel like I’m good at both.
JM: I’ll ask you this then. What was your favorite play to run in the playbook this past season and why?
Sataoa Laumea: Probably “dart” when I was working as a puller at offensive tackle. I was pulling across the opposite side. I’m kicking out the outside linebacker on that play. That was the most fun play in our playbook. I feel like as a defense, it’s not a play they saw very often. It was a lot of fun.
JM: I love that. Have you met with any teams throughout this process, whether in person or virtually?
Sataoa Laumea: I have. I’ve met with a few teams in person, and even more of them through Zoom and telephone. I went to Philadelphia and Atlanta for in-person visits. It was my first time in both of those cities. My meetings with the Eagles and Falcons went great. I’ve interacted with probably every team in some fashion. My latest Zoom was with the Steelers. I’ve been busy.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. We've appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Sataoa Laumea going to make at the next level?
Sataoa Laumea: The goal is to at least be a starting player in my rookie season. I want to start right away. I’m aiming pretty high. I want to be a starter, I want to succeed. I want to be a Pro Bowler before I sign my second contract. First-Team All-Pro, Second-Team All-Pro, these are the goals I’m aiming for. I want to be a starter in year one.
