Laiatu Latu is a top defensive end prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his football journey all started in California.
After finishing a successful college career with the UCLA Bruins, Latu declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and is widely expected to be one of the top defensive linemen selected.
Let’s take a look at Latu’s football journey, from high school to college, and some of the successes he’s had along the way.
Where Did Latu’s Football Career Start?
Born in Sacramento, Latu has deep roots in California, and that’s a theme that will continue later throughout his football career.
Latu attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, Calif., and would eventually be named first-team All-California.
As a senior, Latu tallied 94 total tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks.
He was a four-star recruit and had offers to remain in his home state with either USC or UCLA.
Revisiting Latu’s College Career
Washington
Latu committed to the University of Washington to play for the Huskies despite offers from his home state schools. As a true freshman, Latu appeared in 12 games and finished the season with 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Before his sophomore season, Latu suffered a neck injury during fall practices that sidelined him for the entire season. After the season, team doctors determined that the injury had not healed enough for Latu to continue playing football.
Washington head coach Jimmy Lake announced that Latu had retired from football at the start of spring practice in 2021.
But that wasn’t exactly the case. While Latu stayed enrolled at Washington for the fall semester, he would enter the transfer portal to find a place to continue playing football.
UCLA
Latu ultimately decided to transfer back to California and suit up for the UCLA Bruins. He was cleared medically by team doctors near the end of their spring practices.
In 2022, Latu played in 13 games, recording 36 total tackles and 10.5 sacks. In 2023, Latu started all 13 games, recording a career-high 49 tackles and 13 sacks, which was the most amount of sacks by any player in the Pac-12.
Most tackles for loss (in 2022) amongst returning players to the Pac-12:
Laiatu Latu, UCLA; 12.5 TFL
Brennan Jackson, Washington St; 12.0 TFL
Bralen Trice, Washington; 12.0 TFL
James Rawls, Oregon State; 10.0 TFL
Karene Reid, Utah; 9.5 TFLpic.twitter.com/fA89Usks82— College Football Network (@CFN365) July 21, 2023
After the 2023 college football season, Latu declared for the NFL Draft.
Latu’s Potential in the NFL
After a successful return to college football, Latu will now gear up to take his talent to the next level. As long as his medicals check out, he’s expected to be a promising EDGE prospect for NFL general managers and scouts.
Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings named Latu the most exciting EDGE prospect to watch in this draft class because of his explosiveness and flexibility for his size.
“On my 2024 NFL Draft board, Laiatu Latu grades as a top-20 prospect and one of the top EDGE prospects in the class. If his medicals check out, he’s worthy of early-to-mid first-round capital and has the upside to be a game-changing presence for an NFL defense,” Cummings said.
“Latu is perhaps the most exciting pass rusher to watch in the 2024 NFL Draft EDGE class. Not only is he explosive, twitched-up, and insanely flexible for his size, but he also has deadly hand-fighting chops. He has a barrage of moves at his disposal, and he stacks combos and counters with elite quickness and reaction speed.
“Latu is unique in that he doesn’t have one go-to move he sticks to. Latu has the ability to vary his attack in real time based on the leverage he encounters, and he can adapt just as quickly with his free-flowing athleticism and ruthless hand precision.”
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Laiatu Latu
Highlights, Records, and More
Latu’s 2023 campaign made him the first UCLA player to ever receive the Lombardi Award, which is given to the nation’s best defensive lineman. He also took home the Ted Hendricks Award, which recognizes college football’s top defensive end.
In 2023, Latu also won the Polynesian Football Player of the Year honors. Lastly, he won the Morris Trophy in 2023, which recognizes the Pac-12’s top offensive and defensive lineman as selected by opposing players.
Latu was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2022 and 2023.
KEEP READING: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
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