UCLA Football: Defensive Standout Could be First All-American in 10 Years

Latu is making some serious noise during his senior season

The UCLA Bruins entered the 2023 season with a new defensive coordinator in D'Anton Lynn. Players and Lynn vowed the defense would be better, which went in through one ear and out the other. 

However, those words lived to be true, and not only are they a much-improved defense, but they are arguably the best defnese in their conference and the country. 

The UCLA defense is no joke, and they are a big reason why they're 5-2 and are still in serious contention for the Pac-12 title. Defense is a collective effort; everyone knows that, but with every great defense, there is a difference maker, and that's the case with the Bruins with the likes of senior All-American edge rusher Laiatu Latu. 

Latu has been excellent for the Bruins in his tenure, but in 2023, he's raising his game to new heights. Latu is a dominant force and has a great shot of being a top pick in next year's NFL Draft. His play speaks for itself, which may result in some hardware at season's end that no Bruin has done in a decade. 

“Really, it’s just football,” said Latu, who could become the first UCLA first-team All-American on defense since linebacker Eric Kendricks in 2014. “That’s why I like it. I just go out there and do me and don’t think too much about anything else but the game that week, the scheme and how we’re going to beat whoever it is that we’re playing.”

(per Laiatu Latu via LA Times)

Latu is having an incredible senior year, recording 22 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, ten tackles for loss, and two and a half shy of his career high. 

The dude is an unstoppable force, and there is no doubting his dominance and importance to the Bruins' defense. He's been a pleasure to witness, and we cannot wait to see what else he has in store for the remainder of the season. 

The All-American title is his to lose, and there's no reason things shouldn't go his way to make the football program proud.