Here is every one-on-one rep by #UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/NwwEAkGUhq
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 31, 2024
The New Orleans Saints are getting a good look at one of the top defensive ends in the draft this week at the Senior Bowl. UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu has been off to a very hot start in Mobile, Ala.
Latu was once medically retired from football after a neck injury while playing at Washington. He then transferred to UCLA where he was cleared to play and has dominated ever since. He finished with 34 tackles for a loss and 23.5 sacks in his two seasons as a Bruin, as well as five forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus charting credited him with 127 quarterback pressures during that span.
The Saints have always gone after their archetype at defensive end, and college scouting director Jeff Ireland reiterated that importance earlier this week when talking about pass rushers with the media.
He also opened up about thinking outside of that box: “I still think you have to play with power, but they come in all shapes and sizes and you have to be ready to have a really clear vision for how are you going to utilize that player.”
Latu has the size that the Saints like — having weighed in at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds, with 32.5-inch arms giving him an impressive 79-inch wingspan– as well as looking like a faster defensive end as well at times. He’s seen as a first-round lock in this year’s draft class but he could lift his stock into top-10 territory if he keeps up this strong week of practice in Mobile.
