Safety excited for 1st start with Raiders despite circumstances

Pola-Mao will replace veteran safety Marcus Epps, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, when the Raiders (1-2) host the Browns (1-2) on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

Epps is one of the most popular players in the locker room, a leader and beloved presence in the safety room. It breaks Pola-Mao’s heart that his promotion came at the expense of his good friend.

“I hate to be out on the field in these circumstances,” Pola-Mao said. “But it’s a violent game we play.”

He knows the best way to honor Epps is to be a solid replacement.

“So, gotta step up and don’t blink,” said Pola-Mao, 25. “That’s kind of how it goes.”

The Raiders are confident in Pola-Mao, an undrafted free agent out of USC in 2022 who has played everywhere from free safety to cornerback.

“I thought he was ready to take the next step this year anyway, but we really felt good with Marcus Epps and Tre’von (Moehrig),” coach Antonio Pierce said. “Now, obviously, with the injury with Marcus, next man up mentality. But again, it’s no flinch, no blinking. Really feel confident about what Isaiah could do going forward.”

Unlikely climb

Realistically, Pola-Mao had no business letting his imagination run wild the way it did when he attended a Raiders regional college pro day before the 2022 NFL draft.

But something came over him as he took in the sights and sounds of the Raiders’ practice facility in Henderson. And it became the starting point for his unlikely rise from marginal prospect to NFL starter.

He was at the facility with a handful of other prospects from nearby colleges for a workout in front of then-Raiders coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. These showcases are typically designed for players who did not get invited to the NFL scouting combine. Each team is assigned a handful of schools in its radius.

Pola-Mao, a three-year starter at USC, definitely got caught up in the moment.

“I remember just sitting down and looking at the lights on the turf and picturing myself here,” Pola-Mao said.

On film, his height (6 feet, 4 inches), length, speed and willingness to tackle stood out to the Raiders. Those traits were validated when he worked out in person and then was signed after the draft.

If nothing else, the Raiders thought Pola-Mao could eventually contribute on special teams.

But he had bigger ideas and quickly became a training camp standout. Flashing impressive athletic ability, toughness and an understanding of the defensive scheme, Pola-Mao proved he belonged.

“It’s a bunch of different paths to the same destination,” he said of his undrafted status.

Pola-Mao played in 11 games as a rookie and earned a role as the third safety in 2023. His role expanded in the first three games this season, with the Raiders determined to get a player who has done everything from rush the passer to defend in pass coverage on the field more.

Big stage

The injury to Epps means Pola-Mao assumes an even more prominent role.

“Losing a guy like that is tough,” he said. “He’s our captain, our leader on the back end. So I’m committed to doing everything I can to help us not feel that loss.”

His friendship and chemistry with Moehrig should help.

“It’s helpful that we like each other, that we’re cool with each other,” Pola-Mao said. “We see the same things, talk the same language. So us being on the same page is going to help everyone on the back end.”

Pierce said it would be a group effort replacing Epps’ leadership and communication.

“I’m not going to throw it all on Isaiah,” he said. “We’re not going to do that with Tre’von, either. I think mutually, though, they need to own their role on what they need to communicate.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.