As the Raiders' 2025 draft picks go through their first NFL training camp, Raiders.com's Levi Edwards is sitting down with each player for a Q&A.
Next we take time to talk with fourth-round pick Tonka Hemingway
Levi Edwards: Your older brother, Junior Hemingway, was a receiver in the NFL. What's the biggest thing you've taken from watching his journey?
Tonka Hemingway: "I looked up to him my whole life, really. He played at 'The Big House' at Michigan and then played in Kansas City. He really helped me with this journey. Telling me to keep my head down and keep grinding. My parents always told me, 'People are always watching, no matter what you're doing.' So I've just learned from all of them."
LE: Speaking of your parents, how much did your family and growing up in Conway, South Carolina, mold you?
TH: "Where I'm from, it's really little, but it's kind of built up more now. It was really just family. They were really all I had. Growing up, it was sports, go home and be with the fam."
LE: What do you believe put you on the radar for the Las Vegas Raiders?
TH: "Knowing Pete Carroll and his relationship based program, it was probably just competition-wise. I think I'm a big competitor. I don't like to lose. My parents told me when I was younger I used to cry when I lose, but I knew I had to keep working."
LE: What's been your first impression of the Raiders defensive line room?
TH: "It's like a brotherhood. I've been looking up to the whole room, learning from all of them. Jonah [Laulu] is a second-year player, Adam [Butler], Maxx [Crosby]. I'm just listening when everybody talks. That's one thing that my parents taught me. They may not be talking to you but if you listen, you'll know."
Head down to the tarmac and view exclusive photos of the Raiders as they depart for their preseason matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Keondre Coburn (75) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Las Vegas Raiders depart for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Hudson Clark (38) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56), defensive end Ovie Oghoufo (90), tackle Gottlieb Ayedze (72) and linebacker Matt Jones (42) depart for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) departs for the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks.
