Nikolas A. Lalos Bio
Nikolas A. Lalos is an American professional football long snapper who has built a resilient career across the NFL and XFL since entering professional football in 2020. Born on June 25, 1997, in Akron, Ohio, Lalos attended St. Vincent–St. Mary High School before playing college football at Dartmouth College, where he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors in 2019. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he signed with the New York Giants and has since played for multiple organizations, including the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Sea Dragons, demonstrating his versatility as a professional athlete.
Early Life and Background
Lalos grew up in Akron, Ohio, where he attended St. Vincent–St. Mary High School. During his high school years, he balanced both basketball and football, developing the athletic foundation that would later support his professional football career. His time at St. Vincent–St. Mary also connected him to a notable alumni network, as NBA superstar LeBron James also graduated from the same high school.
After high school, Lalos continued his academic and athletic journey at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, joining the Dartmouth Big Green football program. His high school background in multiple sports helped him develop the coordination, body control, and positional awareness that would later benefit his transition to the long snapper position in professional football.
Path to Professional Football
Lalos joined the Dartmouth Big Green football team in 2016 and spent his freshman season on the junior varsity team. He began lettering starting in his sophomore year, steadily developing his skills over the final three seasons of his collegiate career. The experience gained during these formative college years proved essential in refining his technique and football IQ.
His senior season in 2019 proved to be his breakthrough campaign. Lalos delivered an outstanding performance, recording 35 tackles with a team-high 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He also contributed seven passes broken up and an interception, which he returned 22 yards for a touchdown. These exceptional statistics earned him first-team All-Ivy League recognition, validating his development into a legitimate professional prospect.
Following his senior season, Lalos showcased his talents at the 2020 Hula Bowl, where he was named the defensive MVP of the game. In that performance, he made six tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble, further solidifying his standing among draft-eligible players heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.
Nikolas A. Lalos Career
New York Giants (2020–2021)
Lalos entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the New York Giants on April 25, 2020. Despite going undrafted, his collegiate credentials and strong Hula Bowl performance earned him an opportunity with the Giants organization. He was initially signed as a defensive end before eventually transitioning to the long snapper position.
He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, but was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad. His perseverance paid off when he was elevated to the active roster on November 28, making his NFL debut the following day against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12. The debut proved memorable as Lalos received a Twitter shout-out from LeBron James, his fellow St. Vincent–St. Mary High School alumnus, on the morning of his first career game.
The game against the Bengals became a highlight of his rookie season. Lalos recorded his first career interception when he caught a deflected pass thrown by Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen while playing limited defensive snaps. This game-altering play helped the Giants secure a 19–17 victory. He was elevated to the active roster again the following week against the Seattle Seahawks and recovered a fumble on a mishandled snap by Seattle’s Russell Wilson during the 17–12 win. The Giants signed Lalos to their active roster on December 8, 2020, securing his place on the team for the remainder of his rookie season.
In 2021, Lalos continued with the Giants organization. He was waived on August 31, 2021, during roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He eventually signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants on January 10, 2022, though he was waived by New York in August 2022 before the regular season began.
New Orleans Saints (2022)
Following his departure from the Giants, Lalos signed with the New Orleans Saints on August 15, 2022. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived by the Saints on August 30. However, his skills remained valued, and he was re-signed to New Orleans’ practice squad on November 16, 2022, continuing his professional career trajectory with the organization.
Seattle Sea Dragons (2023)
Lalos joined the XFL when he was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons on November 17, 2022. The XFL provided him with an opportunity for increased playing time and the chance to showcase his versatility as both a defensive player and long snapper. The 2023 XFL season proved successful for Lalos as he recorded 35 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks while adding one forced fumble and one interception to his statistical resume. His performance with the Sea Dragons demonstrated his ability to contribute meaningfully on special teams and defense at an elite alternative league level. He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.
New Orleans Saints Return (2023–2024)
Lalos returned to the New Orleans Saints on May 16, 2023, marking his second stint with the organization. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived by the Saints on August 29. He was subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad, where he continued to develop his skills and maintain his readiness for potential elevation to the active roster.
Following the end of the 2023 regular season, the Saints signed Lalos to a reserve/futures contract on January 8, 2024, indicating the organization’s continued interest in his abilities. However, on August 27, 2024, Lalos was waived by the Saints as part of final roster cuts before the 2024 season. He was re-signed to their practice squad shortly after. On November 5, Lalos was waived again by New Orleans, concluding his second tenure with the Saints organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Lalos transitioned to long snapper at the professional level, his defensive background provides him with unique strengths. His collegiate experience as a defensive end gave him a strong understanding of opposing offensive schemes and snap timing. His ability to read plays and react quickly has translated to his special teams work, allowing him to maintain consistent performance under pressure. His experience playing multiple positions throughout his career demonstrates his versatility and football intelligence.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most notable milestone in Lalos’ career came during his NFL debut with the New York Giants against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. Not only did he receive a shout-out from LeBron James on social media, but he also recorded his first career interception on a deflected pass. This memorable debut highlighted his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and contributed to a Giants victory. His defensive MVP performance at the 2020 Hula Bowl also stands as a significant achievement that helped launch his professional career.
Nikolas A. Lalos Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career spanning the NFL and XFL, Lalos has accumulated meaningful statistics across multiple facets of the game, including defensive stats, special teams contributions, and turnover creation.
College Statistics (Dartmouth)
During his four seasons at Dartmouth, Lalos appeared in 24 games and established himself as a disruptive force on the defensive line. He finished his collegiate career with 59 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. His senior season was particularly impressive, as he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors while leading the team in tackles for loss and adding five quarterback sacks. His ability to pressure the passer and stop the run made him a complete defender during his college years.
Professional Career Statistics
In the NFL, Lalos has contributed on defense and special teams. Through the 2023 NFL season, he recorded six total tackles, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection, and one interception. His ability to create turnovers was evident from his very first NFL game, when he recorded an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals.
His XFL tenure with the Seattle Sea Dragons provided expanded opportunities, resulting in 35 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks with one forced fumble and one interception during the 2023 season.
| Competition | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2020–2023) | 6 | — | — | 1 | — |
| XFL (2023) | 35 | 7 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Dartmouth (2016–2019) | 59 | 17.5 | 11 | 1 | — |
Career Highlights
Among Lalos’ most significant career moments, his interception against the Cincinnati Bengals in his NFL debut stands out as his first major professional achievement. The fact that he received social media recognition from LeBron James that same morning added an extraordinary dimension to an already memorable debut. His defensive MVP performance at the 2020 Hula Bowl, where he recorded six tackles and two sacks, helped establish his professional credentials and earned him a contract with the New York Giants.
Nikolas A. Lalos Family
Family Background and Connections
While detailed information about Lalos’ family background remains private, his connection to St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron links him to an impressive alumni network. The high school has produced several notable athletes, most prominently NBA legend LeBron James, who took notice of Lalos’ NFL debut through social media. This connection between two athletes from the same Akron high school represents a meaningful link in Lalos’ personal narrative.
Personal Life
Lalos continues to maintain his connection to Ohio, having grown up and attended high school in Akron. His journey from Akron to Dartmouth and ultimately to professional football demonstrates his dedication to the sport. Public information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not available.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his time with the New Orleans Saints, Lalos enters the 2025 season seeking to continue his professional football career. His ability to play multiple positions, particularly his transition to long snapper combined with his defensive background, provides him with unique value to NFL and alternative league organizations. His experience across four different teams and two leagues demonstrates his resilience and adaptability within the professional football landscape.
Throughout his career, Lalos has shown a pattern of perseverance, often being waived and re-signed multiple times while maintaining his roster spot through the practice squad mechanism. This persistence reflects both his character and the value teams place on his special teams abilities. As he continues his career, his proven track record of creating turnovers, including multiple interceptions and forced fumbles at both the NFL and XFL levels, makes him a viable candidate for teams seeking experienced depth at the long snapper position.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Lalos’ combination of collegiate defensive production, professional experience in multiple leagues, and his demonstrated ability to contribute on special teams units gives him a solid foundation to pursue continued opportunities in professional football. Teams value players who can provide depth at multiple positions, and Lalos fits that profile with his background as both a defensive end and long snapper at the professional level.