UCLA Star Defensive End Kicks Off Season With Exceptional Start

If UCLA is to make its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1999, it'll have to field a defense with some elite talent.

Fortunately for the Bruins, Laiatu Latu is patrolling the edge of the defense line.

The California native has been an absolute monster thus far in the 2023 season. After two games, Latu is already leading the nation in one very important category:

First in the nation in sacks. Second in the nation in tackles for loss. Laiatu Latu is HIM pic.twitter.com/DONC6EeJQ8
— Barstool UCLA (@StoolWestwood) September 11, 2023

On the year, Latu already has notched 4.0 sacks (best in the nation) and 6.0 tackles-for-loss. His play in both the Coastal Carolina and SDSU games has been nothing short of sensational.

After transferring in from Washington, Latu came out of nowhere a season ago and immediately became UCLA's best pass-rushing threat. He was still working his way back from a neck injury at the time. As such, he was a bit skinny physically, and somewhat raw technically.

A year later, Latu looks even better. His lower half has filled out, making him more durable over the course of a full season. Even with the added strength, that hasn't seemed to compromise his quickness off the edge at all.

Through the first two contests, you see a player with terrific flexibility. Most guys that big are usually stiff -- preferring to go north-to-south rather than having lateral quickness. As it pertains to Latu, he moves like a guy much smaller than his frame would indicate.

EDGE Laiatu Latu is a player to keep an eye on this season, as a player capable of developing such a wide range of movements over the course of a game automatically becomes a player to watch out for against bigger opposition.

👀 pic.twitter.com/dWBnv6Zbs5
— Rayane M (@RayaneScout) September 11, 2023

As this clip shows, Latu is lightning-quick off the edge. He's past the offensive tackle essentially before even being touched.

The upside for Latu is sky-high. NFL franchises always prioritize players who can get after opposing quarterbacks. Various mock drafts have already been coming out from multiple publications. More than a handful have Latu projected as a Top-10 pick.