Laiatu Latu’s size and savvy force the issue for opponents
1 min read
Over the course of the last two seasons, Latu posted 34 tackles for losses. The Ted Hendricks Award winner has overcome a lot of adversity during school.
Laiatu Latu heads into this year’s draft as one of its most productive pass rush artists. The former UCLA Bruin got to the quarterback on a consistent basis in school. His effectiveness comes from either a three-point or two-point stance (see video below).
After initially heading to Washington as a four-star recruit from Jesuit High School (Calif.), Latu has had to overcome serious injury. The Sacramento, California native suffered a neck injury in 2020 with the Huskies that threatened to end his career.
Washington would not clear him to return and so Latu sought out another destination. The eventual decision to join the Bruins squad was a game changer. The two-time All-Pac-12 selection won the Pac-12’s 2023 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year award.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Ted Hendricks and Lombardi Award winner tallied 23.5 quarterback sacks and 34 tackles for loss over a two-year period (2022-23). Aside from rushing on either side of the defensive front, he has also proven capable of dropping into pass coverage.
We delve into a key 2022 matchup versus the USC Trojans (1.5 QB sacks, 1.5 TFLs). When the game mattered most in the fourth quarter, Latu shined once again.
About Author
