Laiatu Latu explains already getting a Colts logo tattoo

The expectations are high for Latu who was the first defensive player selected in this year’s draft. The 23-year-old had a challenging college career, sustaining a neck injury while at Washington in 2020 which led to the program to medically retire him later that year. Latu did not agree to this decision and never gave up on playing football.

Laiatu Latu talks his journey of playing football again

“What the doctors were telling me I didn’t agree with because I didn’t feel that at the same time,” Latu said during his introductory press conference, per the Colts official website. “It was easy for me not to give up. It was easy for me to be confident with everything. Obviously, it was emotional because I’m being told and I can’t control what they’re telling me. So obviously it’s emotional, but I never got in a negative mindset. I never got down on myself. I always believed that I was going to work towards this.”

Latu worked his way back by rehabbing on his own, which led to him getting the green light to play from Dr. Ronald Watkins, a neck specialist for California. He then transferred to UCLA in January 2022 and had more sacks than any other other Power 5 Player had in the last two seasons.

In 2023, Latu became an elite pass rusher, tallying 13 sacks in 12 games. His production led to him being named an Unanimous All-American and winning the Ted Hendricks Award as well as the Lombardi Award. Latu looks to help a Colts team that has missed the playoffs the last three seasons. In 2023, the Colts had four defensive linemen that recorded at least eight sacks.