UCLA Football: ESPN Experts' CFP Ranks Reveal Bruins Star Holding Steady In Top 20

Latu ranks among the best players from the 2023 college football season.

The 2023 season has come and gone for the UCLA Bruins. Next season, your Bruins will be in a new conference, looking to make their mark in the Big Ten with a fresh start. 

It will be a new breath of fresh air for UCLA; however, they'll have to do it without their top player on either side of the ball and potential first-round pick, edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Latu will enter the 2024 NFL Draft after two seasons in the blue and gold. The 23-year-old had himself a prestigious 2023 season, and because of that, ESPN college football experts ranked Latu inside the top 15, at number 14 on the list of top 100 college football players. 

14.

Laiatu Latu

 

DL,



UCLA

, Senior

Notable 2023 stats: 13 sacks, 2 FF, 2 INT

Preseason ranking: 49

Latu won the Lombardi Award after leading the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and ranked third with 13 sacks. He was part of a defense that ranked No. 16 nationally in scoring defense (18.4) and No. 12 in total defense (301.5 yards per game) in the regular season.

Latu surpassed expectations compared to his preseason ranks. The edge rusher was among the best in his position throughout the 2023 season, and the numbers tell it all. 

In 12 games this season, Latu recorded 49 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two interceptions, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles. 

There was nothing he couldn't do, and his spot was earned, although we believe he should be higher. Nonetheless, the senior lineman was pivotal to UCLA's success on defense; we will miss him and wish him the best at the next level.