The UCLA Bruins are expected to take one player in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. That would be defensive edge rusher Laitu Latu, who put together a very impressive season for the Bruins in 2023.
Latu has been one of the best defensive players in the country in recent years, which has drawn the attention of potential NFL scouts. Latu appeared in 12 games for UCLA last season, totaling 49 tackles, including 21.5 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks.
His ability to get to the quarterback and disrupt the backfield is special, and NFL defenses are salivating at what he can do at the next level. Latu may be one of the more underrated defensemen in the draft, but he's often compared to a four-time Pro Bowler in the NFL.
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus watched Latu's game and said he has a similar profile to Los Angeles Chargers star defensive edge Joey Bosa.
“Among the elite players Latu occupies is Joey Bosa, but one of the criticisms leveled at Bosa as a promising player is that he has already reached his full potential as a player. The criticism focused on how close Bosa was already to his potential without giving enough weight to how good he already was.
If Latu can be as productive as Bosa, he will be a steal in the draft. He is expected to land somewhere between the middle of the first round and the end of the first round. His skillset fits into almost any defensive scheme and gives the team a potential star of the future.
The Bruins' defense improved significantly this past season, led by Latu's play. He will be looking to bring them relevance and bring his talent back on Sundays in the future.
