In the days leading up to Arizona's final game of the 2019 season against Arizona State, offensive lineman Donovan Laie found himself relying on his teammates more than he ever had in his life.
 
On the Saturday before the game against the Sun Devils, Laie learned his father, Chris, had passed away. His first instinct was to go home to be with his family. But with one more game on the schedule, his mom, Vickie, encouraged her son to stay in Tucson and play in the final game as his dad would have wanted.
 
Donovan listened to his mom and stayed in Tucson.
 
One of seven siblings growing up in Oceanside, California, Laie knew he couldn't get through the week alone. He knew he had to rely on his teammates the way he used to count on his five sisters and one brother.
 
"Being around my teammates, they uplifted me that whole week," Laie recalls now. "Whether it was praying after practice with (running back J.J. Taylor) or being with my O-Linemen, they helped me get through it. They were there for me the whole time."
 
Laie started against Arizona State – just like he did in the previous 23 games of his career – and played every offensive snap with his teammates.
 
That's how Laie was raised by his parents in Oceanside – to be there for the people that have been there for you. Laie learned that at a young age from his parents and his six siblings, Liona, Sina, Alofa, Semurana, Christopher and Damaris.
 
"Growing up, it wasn't always pretty," Donovan said. "We've been through a lot. But because of our big family, I've always felt like I have a big support system behind me and always have someone to talk to. That helped me get through the adversity. Going through the struggles with them, and not alone, made me look at life in a different perspective. I'm very fortunate to be where I am today."
 
Where he is today is serving as one of the most valuable members of the Arizona Football team. After a standout prep career at Oceanside High School that saw Laie be named a three-time All-CIF honoree and have a strong four-year career as a basketball big man, the 6-foot-4-inch, 315-pound offensive lineman committed to Arizona because "it just felt like home."
 
He arrived on campus in the summer of 2018 and earned a starting spot at left tackle as a true freshman. He started all 12 games becoming the first true freshman in at least two decades to start every game at left tackle. He helped the Wildcats lead the Pac-12 in rushing offense and was a key cog in pass protection for an offensive line that allowed just 20 sacks on the season.
 
Laie again started all 12 games as a sophomore in 2019, starting two games at left guard for the first time in his career because of injuries across the front. He'll enter the 2020 season as one of Arizona's most experienced linemen, willing to do whatever's needed of him.
 
"My number one goal when I got here was to come and work hard no matter what," Laie said. "I just went with the flow and did whatever the coaches wanted me to do. That's what I've continued to do ever since."