Edge rusher Laiatu Latu continues to receive national recognition for his performance with UCLA this season.
College football pundits have started to rave about Latu after the Senior Bowl’s official X account announced on Tuesday that the Bruin had accepted an invitation to compete in the game.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound senior will compete with some of the top juniors and seniors who were also invited to play and interview with NFL scouts.
“Best pass rusher in the country and one of my favorite players in this draft,” ESPN football analyst Jordan Reid wrote on X. “Big get for the Senior Bowl.”
The Senior Bowl will be played on Feb. 3, 2024 (10 a.m. PT) in Mobile, Alabama.
Latu has 49 total tackles (21½ TFL), 13 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 12 games this season.
Latu’s 13 sacks rank him third on UCLA’s all-time list for a single season, tied with Carnell Lake (1987). Outside linebacker Anthony Barr (13½ in 2012) and defensive end Dave Ball (16½ in 2003) are the only Bruins that rank higher.
The Senior Bowl will provide another opportunity for Latu to prove he’s a potential top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“A legitimate top 15 talent,” ESPN football insider Matt Miller wrote of Latu on X. “Medicals are a huge part of the evaluation but his tape is stunning.”
Latu transferred to UCLA from Washington after having to medically retire due to a neck injury.
He shared the honor of college football’s Comeback Player of the Year award with Washington quarterback Michael Penix and Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim in 2022.
Latu has multiple opportunities to add to his trophy case after being named as a finalist for several Defensive Player of the Year awards such as the Bednarik and the Lott Impact Trophy this week.
He was also named as one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award (best lineman) earlier this month.