Laiatu Latu played his college football for UCLA and was the defensive end for the team. He initially started his college football career playing for the Washington Huskies from 2019-2021 before moving on to UCLA where he spent two seasons with them. Laiatu Latu was picked as the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
Latu started his college football career in 2019, playing for the Huskies, where he put up 10 solo tackles, and 5 assisted tackles, combining for 15 total tackles, and he also had 1.5 tackles for loss along with 0.5 sacks. He played in 12 games in his true freshman season. Entering his sophomore season, things would take a turn as Latu reportedly suffered a neck injury which ultimately led to him sitting out his second year at Washington. Entering his third year with the Huskies, Latu was still not cleared to play as the team doctors deemed that the injury had not fully healed. Huskies head coach, Jimmy Lake, announced that Latu had retired prior to the start of the 2021 season. This is when Latu decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal and decided to transfer to UCLA.
After not playing for two whole seasons, Latu was finally let loose and was ready to go for the 2022 season. He played in 13 games and recorded 23 solo tackles, and 13 assisted tackles, combining for 36 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, a single fumble recovery, and 3 fumbles forced. Entering his final season at UCLA, Latu had his best season and he had 49 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, and two fumbles forced.
Latu had a monster year in 2023 and for his performance he received both the Ted Hendricks Award in 2023 and the Lombardi Award in 2023. It was the first time in UCLA’s history that a player had accomplished both of these prestigious awards. He was also a Unanimous All-American in 2023, Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, won the Morris Trophy in 2023, and was the Polynesian Football Player of the Year in 2023.
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Laiatu Latu’s Ethnicity
Laiatu Latu is of a Polynesian descent. Latu won the Polynesian Football Player of the Year, which is given to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry.
Laiatu Latu’s Nationality
Laiatu Latu is an American by nationality and was born and raised in Sacramento, California, and he attended Jesuit High School.
FAQs about Laiatu Latu ethnicity and Nationality
A. Laiatu Latu was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.
A. Laiatu Latu is from Sacramento, California, United States.
A. Laiatu Latu attended Jesuit High School.
A. Laiatu Latu’s mother is Kerry Latu.
A. Ikaika Malloe is Laiatu Latu’s surrogate father.
