UCLA Football: Laiatu Latu To Visit NFL Franchise With 2 Top 10 Picks
Star UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu is visiting the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Latu posted a picture to his Instagram Stories from Halas Hall, the Bears' headquarters. This is one of several pre-draft visits for Latu, who is expected to be a first-round pick this year.
The Bears have two first-round picks this year, the No. 1 overall pick and the No. 9 overall pick. While many expect Chicago to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick, who they are expected to take later in the top ten is a lot more up in the air.
Chicago does have a strong defensive lineman in Montez Sweat, who they traded for during the 2023 season from the Washington Commanders, but lack much depth or standout rushers outside of Sweat. If they were to draft Latu, they'd bring in one of the best defensive ends in college football from a season ago.
During his final collegiate season at UCLA, Latu was one of the best defensive linemen and pass rushers in college football. Latu tallied 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and 21.5 tackles for loss in 2023. He finished first in the FBS in tackles for loss and tied for third in sacks. He was a unanimous All-American.
Latu has also shared a picture of him and Jim Harbaugh from his visit with the Los Angeles Chargers. Neither visit guarantees he will be drafted by that team, but does show there is significant interest in him.
