University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Laiatu Latu (15) leads the Bruin defense in sacks and tackles for loss.
Photo by: ASUCLA Photography
Latu Named CFB Comeback Player of the Year
December 20, 2022 | Football
NEW YORK, NY โ UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu was announced on Tuesday by the College Sports Communicators (formerly College Sports Information Directors of America [CoSIDA]), in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization as one of three winners of the 2022 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The award recognizes college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. The three honorees were selected in a vote by a panel of AP writers, editors, sports information directors, and Fiesta Bowl Organization representatives.
Latu sat out the last two seasons due to injury before returning to the field in 2022 with the Bruins. He played in all 12 games for UCLA this season, topping the team with 9.5 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss. Latu also recorded 33 total tackles on the year to go with five QB hits, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He finished the regular season tied for 11th in the nation (2nd in the Pac-12) in sacks per game (0.79) and in fumbles forced per game (0.25). Latu's 9.5 sacks are the most by a Bruin player since Takkarist McKinley was credited with 10.0 in 2016. He recorded a career-best 3.0 sacks in UCLA's win at Colorado.
The other 2022 winners were Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim. Previous Comeback Player of the Year winners have included: 2021โAidan Hutchinson (Michigan), McKenzie Milton (Florida State), J.J. Weaver (Kentucky); 2020โJarek Broussard (Colorado), Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky), Silas Kelly (Coastal Carolina); 2019โJake Luton (Oregon State), Drew Wilson (Georgia Southern), Octavion Wilson (Salisbury); ย 2018โAntwan Dixon (Kent State), Seth Simmer (Dartmouth), Antonio Wimbush (Carson-Newman). For a complete list of past honorees, visit www.Comeback-Player.com.
Latu and the Bruins will take on Pittsburgh on Friday, Dec. 30 in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. CBS will televise the Sun Bowl beginning at 11 a.m. PT.
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The award recognizes college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. The three honorees were selected in a vote by a panel of AP writers, editors, sports information directors, and Fiesta Bowl Organization representatives.
Latu sat out the last two seasons due to injury before returning to the field in 2022 with the Bruins. He played in all 12 games for UCLA this season, topping the team with 9.5 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss. Latu also recorded 33 total tackles on the year to go with five QB hits, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He finished the regular season tied for 11th in the nation (2nd in the Pac-12) in sacks per game (0.79) and in fumbles forced per game (0.25). Latu's 9.5 sacks are the most by a Bruin player since Takkarist McKinley was credited with 10.0 in 2016. He recorded a career-best 3.0 sacks in UCLA's win at Colorado.
The other 2022 winners were Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim. Previous Comeback Player of the Year winners have included: 2021โAidan Hutchinson (Michigan), McKenzie Milton (Florida State), J.J. Weaver (Kentucky); 2020โJarek Broussard (Colorado), Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky), Silas Kelly (Coastal Carolina); 2019โJake Luton (Oregon State), Drew Wilson (Georgia Southern), Octavion Wilson (Salisbury); ย 2018โAntwan Dixon (Kent State), Seth Simmer (Dartmouth), Antonio Wimbush (Carson-Newman). For a complete list of past honorees, visit www.Comeback-Player.com.
Latu and the Bruins will take on Pittsburgh on Friday, Dec. 30 in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. CBS will televise the Sun Bowl beginning at 11 a.m. PT.
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Players Mentioned
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