UCLA Football: NFL Draft Attendance Status Finalized For Bruins Star Laiatu Latu

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 12, 2024

Nov 11, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) tracks Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall (7). / Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu numbers among the 13 NCAA players who have now been verified to show up for this month's 2024 NFL draft, reports Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston:

Thirteen players confirmed to attend #NFLDraft2024 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/1ofPp1V8vi

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 11, 2024

Latu, who was the foundation of the team's No. 11-ranked defense during an uneven 2023 season, is projected to be drafted at some point in the first round. It seems like there's an outside chance he climbs as high as the top ten, but it's more probable he'll be a mid- or even late-first round selection. A supposedly season-ending neck injury he incurred prior to his sophomore year while with the Washington Huskies has likely curbed teams' enthusiasm for his long-term outlook.

The 6'5", 265-pound Sacramento native submitted a superlative run for the 8-5 Bruins in their final season under now-former head coach Chip Kelly. Latu recorded 49 tackles (28 solo, 21 assisted), 13 sacks, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 2023. The two-time All-Pac-12 First Teamer was named the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and the Polynesian Football Player of the Year. He was voted as an All-American unanimously, while winning the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi awards.

Selecting an all-world defensive prospective should be appetizing to any team, but Latu accrues significantly more value when his sticker tag is lower. One wonders how long he will last in the first round this year.