Former Utah DT Leki Fotu Inks Deal With Las Vegas Raiders
Mar 25, 2025, 1:53 PM | Updated: 1:58 pm
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Defensive tackle Leki Fotu #95 (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- We are officially into the full swing of the NFL offseason with free agency opening two weeks ago, and a local has already found a new home.
Leki Fotu, a former all-conference defensive tackle for the University of Utah, is entering his sixth NFL season and has just signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, which will be his third team.
Beefing up the bull rush
📰: https://t.co/lhh74P7HXI pic.twitter.com/abnYn23mco
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 25, 2025
Leki Fotu On The New York Jets
Last year, in his first and only year with the New York Jets, Fotu suffered through an injury-riddled season, first with a hamstring injury and then with a knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve twice, first on August 27 before the start of the regular season, and then again on October 31 after only playing in two games and tallying three total tackles, a heavy decline in production from previous years due to his ailments.
Leki Fotu Joining The Raiders
Leki Fotu will be joining a defensive line that has one of the league’s most talented edge rushers in Maxx Crosby, who signed a three-year extension with the Raiders worth more than $106 million less than a month ago.
More is required. 🔏🦅
📰 https://t.co/icphZilEml pic.twitter.com/LqQdZAV5wo
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 5, 2025
He will also be under new head coach Pete Carroll, who will be in his first year with the franchise.
Las Vegas finished fourth in the AFC West with only four wins last year. The task in the division is going to be tall for the Raiders going forward as the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos all made the playoffs last season.
The lack of production put the Raiders on the quarterback market. On March 13, the franchise made an exchange with Seattle for Geno Smith, sending a third-round pick back to the Seahawks.
Last year, the Raiders owned one of the worst defenses in the league, which was in the bottom ten for both most points allowed and most touchdowns allowed.
With a new system and an all-pro teammate, Leki will look to be part of the positive change on the defensive side of the ball in Las Vegas.
About Leki Fotu
Before his professional career, Fotu was a standout player at Herriman High School and the University of Utah.
Fotu played for the Utes from 2016-19.
He finished his Utah career with 85 total tackles, 43 solo tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 45 games played.
After his time at Utah, Fotu was selected by the Cardinals with the No. 114 overall pick during the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
During his four seasons in the NFL, Fotu has recorded 73 total tackles, 35 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
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