Latu will continue a football career that was once in jeopardy after he was told to medically retire ahead of his sophomore year due to injury.
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, battles with Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano during the second half Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu is one of 13 prospects invited to Detroit for the 2024 NFL draft, where he expects to hear his name called in the first round on Thursday.
“He’s a complete football player,” said UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster, who will accompany Latu to the draft. “Somebody whose why is bigger than just money or something like that, and for him to come back from the type of injury that he had, that lets you know the type of dedication he has to football. Anybody that has something taken away from them, they go extra hard to get it back and him being the first-rounder that he is shows that.
Latu, Dallas Turner of Alabama and Jared Verse of Florida State have been considered among the “top tier” at the position and could go in any order on Thursday evening.Latu’s injury hasn’t been an issue during his UCLA career, but his medical history along with this being considered an offensive-heavy first-round draft class will likely position the 6-foot-5, 265-pound edge rusher in the latter half of the first 32 picks.
NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks had tabbed Latu as the most explosive and most natural pass rusher in the draft because of his ability to attack from a variety of positions.Latu has explained on several occasions that he will spend the week leading up to a game studying all the potential matchups he may face and will take thorough notes on each of them with their strengths and weaknesses.
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