By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions are no strangers to thinking outside the box when it comes to building their roster — and they just pulled off another bold move. On Sunday, April 27, the Lions announced the signing of Laki Tasi, a Samoan-born Australian rugby player, via the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
If that program sounds familiar, it should — it’s the same one that helped the Philadelphia Eagles find Jordan Mailata, who’s now a Super Bowl champion and one of the best left tackles in the league.
From Burger Joints to the NFL
Tasi’s journey to Detroit is straight out of a movie script. Just months ago, he didn’t even know what the NFL was. It all started when the owner of a local burger spot back home mentioned the NFL’s international program and a player named Jordan Mailata.
“One of the guys that owns a burger joint back home, he was telling me about this NFL IPP that Jordan Mailata joined in,” Tasi shared with ESPN Australia & NZ. “[It] was kind of surprising because I didn’t know who was Jordan Mailata and what the NFL is. As soon as I searched up the YouTube about Jordan Mailata and the NFL IPP, I realized how big it is.”
After a quick crash course courtesy of YouTube, Tasi realized just how massive an opportunity this could be.
Meet the Lions’ Newest Giant
At just 21 years old, Tasi is already an absolute unit. He stands 6-foot-6 and tips the scales at 348 pounds — a dream build for an interior defensive lineman.
“Tasi has very good size and the tools to be a big interior defensive lineman, along with the toughness and makeup to play in the trenches,” wrote Scott Pioli for NFL.com back in March. “He possesses a strong and intriguing combination of developmental tools, stature and mindset.”
The Lions didn’t spend a draft pick to get Tasi; they picked him up as an undrafted free agent, giving him a chance to develop without the pressure that comes with being a high-profile rookie.
“Some People Just Have Freaky Genes”
The reaction to the signing has been a mix of amazement and excitement. Former PFF analyst and NFL podcaster Sam Monson summed it up perfectly:
“Some people just have freaky genes. The Lions are bringing in this guy from the IPP,” Monson posted on X. “A few months ago, he didn’t know what the NFL was. Now he’s playing in it!”
It’s a testament to just how raw — and how exciting — Tasi’s potential really is.
The Big Picture for Detroit
Adding Laki Tasi is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Lions. They’ve already built one of the league’s best rosters through smart drafting, trades, and now, unconventional routes like the IPP.
While it may take some time for Tasi to adjust to the NFL game, Detroit knows firsthand from stories like Jordan Mailata’s that patience can pay off in a big way.
For now, fans can sit back and watch as Tasi’s wild journey from a burger shop conversation to the NFL continues to unfold.
What do you think, Lions fans — could Tasi be Detroit’s next big success story? Drop your thoughts in the comments!