Laiatu

Latu

Latu was a two-time National Champion on the rugby pitch in high school and was rated as the fourth-best defensive end from the 2019 recruiting class. He originally enrolled at Washington, where he sustained a neck injury that caused him to miss two seasons before getting medically cleared to play and transferring to UCLA prior to the 2022 campaign. Despite the extended time off, Latu wasted little time annihilating Pac-12 offensive lines for 65 pressures, 10.5 sacks and a 91st % pass rush grade (5th in P5) while winning the College Football Comeback Player of the Year award. Latu’s play ascended further last year, as he led the entire edge position with a 94.3 pass rush grade and 96th percentile overall grade with 13.0 sacks. His 26% win rate and 13.3% pressure rate were also tops nationally, as Latu solidified himself as the premier pure pass rusher from the 2024 class. Though he recorded 33 stops and an 82.1 run defense grade, his 24% missed tackle rate underscores Latu’s limitations in run support. Latu measured in at 6’5, 259 pounds and ran an impressive 4.64s 40-yard dash (94th%) with a 7.09s 3-Cone (85th%) and 4.34 shuttle run (83rd%). He didn’t bench and put up a pedestrian 32” vert (55th%), but Latu’s overall athletic profile adds up to a strong 9.37 RAS. Despite some limitations standing up to mammoth OTs in run support, he’s fast enough to consistently beat OL to the leverage point on run plays. His elite great testing at the combine was undoubtedly a draw for the Colts, who put a lot of stock in athleticism when constructing their draft board.

Latu (6'5/270) sat out the entire 2020 season due to a neck injury and, unfortunately, he will not be able to return to the gridiron for medical reasons. The redshirt sophomore will remain a member of the football program until he graduates, likely serving as a student assistant. Latu appeared in 12 games as a freshman, accumulating 16 total tackles (1.5 for loss), 0.5 sacks and one pass defensed.

It’s unknown why either wide receiver is out, and the same can be said for QB Ethan Garbers and linebackers Ryan Bowman, Cooper McDonald and Laiatu Latu. If any are dealing with COVID-19 related issues, be it a positive test or contact tracing protocols, the concern beyond that is whether or not they’ll be available for next weekend’s showdown with Oregon in Eugene.

Latu (6'5/242) already has two official visits checked off -- UCLA and USC -- and will take an official to Washington on Dec. 14. He’s also planning to take a Cal official, likely in December, though the date for that trip has not yet been finalized. He said that these four programs are the ones he’ll be focusing on moving forward. On the 247Sports composite board, Latu slots in at No. 182 overall for the 2019 cycle.

We’ll see if the weight of SEC big boys Alabama and Georgia might be able to sway Latu, who hails from Carmichael, California, but this is realistically shaping up to be a Pac-12 dogfight. In part due to proximity, all four of the California teams in question -- Cal, Stanford, UCLA and USC -- have received visits from the linebacker this offseason, with Cal and Stanford both drawing multiple trips. On the 247Sports composite board for the 2019 class, the 6-foot-5, 242-pound Lato slides into proceedings at a solid No. 175 overall.

Latu (6'5/242) is deciding between Washington, USC and UCLA. He recently took an official to Seattle, and in 247 Sports composite rankings, they believe there’s an 82 percent chance he commits to the Huskies. He’d be a significant get for whatever program he decides on, as the linebacker ranks among weak-side defensive ends, and 133rd overall in 247 Sports composite rankings.

Washington won out for Latu’s pledge over fellow finalists USC and UCLA. The Huskies hosted him for an official visit this past weekend to help seal the deal. The 6-foot-5, 242-pounder has plenty of developmental room, as he’s yet to focus on football full-time -- Latu plays rugby in the offseason. Given his relative rawness, it would not surprise if the Carmichael, California, native took a redshirt his first year in Seattle. On the 247Sports composite board, Latu ranks as the No. 133 overall prospect in the 2019 class.