ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid believes that former UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu‘s NFL comparison is Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby.
It’s high praise from Reid, who wrote in an ESPN article published on Monday that not only does Latu have a similar build to Crosby, but a “motor that never stops.”
“When it comes to pass-rush repertoire, there isn’t a better pure pass-rusher in this draft class than Latu. At 6-5, 259 pounds, the former UCLA defensive end is similar to Crosby in stature (6-5, 255 pounds) and playing style,” Reid wrote. “They both have an array of moves and can bend and corner to get to the quarterback, while also playing with a motor that never stops.”
Latu showed promise as a freshman at Washington before suffering a serious neck injury ahead of his sophomore season which forced him to medically retire from football. He entered the NCAA transfer portal after the 2021 season in search of a program to continue his football career with. That program ended up being UCLA, and for the last two seasons of his collegiate career, Latu shined.
In 2022, he compiled 36 tackles (23 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He outdid himself this past season, tallying 49 tackles (28 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Latu’s total of 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons is the most by a UCLA player since Anthony Barr (2012-13). He was named the 2023 Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Will injury history affect Laiatu Latu’s draft stock?
Latu also took home the 2023 Lombardi Award, which goes annually to the college football offensive lineman/tight end or defensive lineman/linebacker who exemplifies the character and discipline of Vince Lombardi in addition to outstanding performance and ability.
Now just weeks ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, Latu finds himself a probable first-round pick. High how Latu goes is the big question considering his injury history.
“I think if it wasn’t for the neck injury, you were talking about a top 10, top 12 pick. I think he deserves to be rated where I have him (13th overall),” fellow ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said this past week. “The medicals obviously been an issue all along, but for two years at UCLA, he was getting into that backfield. He can close, he can finish and being able to be instinctive and locate the football. … I’m rating him based on ability. I’m assuming that moving forward he’s not going to have any issues with his medical situation.”
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