Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about LAIATU LATU:
UCLA | HT: 6046 | WT: 259 | 40 time: 4.64 | Arm: 3258 | Hand: 0958 | Wing: 7814
Two year starter. First-team All-Pac 12 in 2022-23, college football Comeback Player of the Year in 2022, first-team All-America, Lombardi trophy and Hendricks trophy (representing the best lineman and edge defender in the country) in 2023. Latu has a compact frame with mass and decent length. He played at Washington as a freshman in 2019 but suffered a serious neck injury during fall camp in 2020 and was forced to retire. He stayed with the program and after recovering and being re-evaluated entered the transfer portal in 2022. He ended up transferring to UCLA. Hit the ground running, becoming a dominant force displaying a non-stop motor and pass rush ability. Quick at the snap he shows a variety of pass rush moves from a two and three point stance. Occasionally lined up inside and his quickness allows him to penetrate gaps. Has a good pass rush plan with ability to run the edge or counter inside against an oversetting tackle. Quick and powerful with his hands, he can stun and separate from blocks allowing him to set up a move. Has the ability to adjust to quarterback’s movement and close in pursuit. Instinctive playing the run he can set the edge, locate the ball and chase to the perimeter. Has been a secure powerful tackler with gather, strike and wrap but has some misses. Has coverage experience and can find the throwing lane and read the quarterback in underneath coverage. Not the strongest, as at times can be neutralized by a powerful tackle. Power may be affected by less than top tier arm length and wingspan. While quick off the ball he may not have elite explosiveness as he relies on technique and instincts to make plays. The major question teams have to answer is medical from the neck injury at Washington. Injury aside, his toughness, motor and technique make him an elite prospect.
2023 Stats:49 T, 21.5 TFL, 13 sacks, 2 PBU, 10 QBH, 2 FF, 2 INT. OSR:11/41. Draft projection: 1st/2nd round