UCLA gave Laiatu Latu a second chance at a football career and he has made the most of it

Laiatu Latu thought his football career was over after a neck injury at Washington. He defied the odds and return returned and found his way to UCLA. He became a star there and turned it into being a top NFL Draft pick. Going No. 15 to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2024 NFL Draft. Where he has become a very good NFL player. Having a breakout season for the Colts last year and helping elevate their defense. He was all over the field for 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 20 QB hits.

Latu rose to stardom in the 2023 season with UCLA. He was basically unblockable and could beat anybody in the nation off the line. Turning the season into his own personal video game stat line. With 49 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. UCLA had one of the better defenses on the nation and he was the leader of it. They were 14th in the nation only giving up 18.4 points per game. They have not had a team that could rush the quarterback like that since.

Latu turned his 2023 season into being a Unanimous All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. Pretty darn good for a player whose career was considered over after the 2019 season and took three years off. Latu figures to continue getting even better in the NFL as he gets more years under his belt. He is more than capable of becoming a Pro Bowl and All-Pro player.

It will always be a feel-good story what Latu has been able to accomplish in his career. He never gave up and it paid off in the end to becoming a college star and really good NFL player. UCLA will always be known as the one team that gave him a second opportunity. Now this team looks to replicate what he was able to provide rushing the quarterback. As the team has struggled in the two years since he has left. But are now equipped with much more talent.