University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Laiatu Latu (15) leads the Bruins defense in sacks and tackles for loss.
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Latu Added to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
September 27, 2022 | Football
Junior outside linebacker Laiatu Latu has been added to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch after his standout play over the first four games of the 2022 season. Established by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the Lott IMPACT Trophy honors college football's best in character and performance.
For the season, Latu leads the Bruins in tackles for loss, with 5.5 for 43 yards lost, and in quarterback sacks, with 5.0 for 42 yards lost. This past week, he led the UCLA defense with 3.0 sacks, for a loss of 28 yards, and 3.5 tackles for loss overall in the 45-17 win at Colorado. The Sacramento Jesuit High School product also was credited with a forced fumble after one of his sacks which led to a two-play UCLA touchdown scoring drive. He had a total of four tackles on the day and added a pass defensed to an outstanding stat line.
The Bruins have had two past winners of The Lott IMPACT Trophy and both are currently playing in the NFL – linebacker Anthony Barr (2013 winner) with the Dallas Cowboys and linebacker Eric Kendricks (2014) currently playing with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is unique because it represents the first college football award to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college award based on the West Coast. THE IMPACT acronym stands for: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Latu and the 2022 Bruins will host No. 15 Washington on Friday night in the Rose Bowl Stadium. The ESPN broadcast will begin at 7:30 p.m. Kickoff time for next week's home game against No. 12 Utah will be 12:30 p.m. in Pasadena.
For the season, Latu leads the Bruins in tackles for loss, with 5.5 for 43 yards lost, and in quarterback sacks, with 5.0 for 42 yards lost. This past week, he led the UCLA defense with 3.0 sacks, for a loss of 28 yards, and 3.5 tackles for loss overall in the 45-17 win at Colorado. The Sacramento Jesuit High School product also was credited with a forced fumble after one of his sacks which led to a two-play UCLA touchdown scoring drive. He had a total of four tackles on the day and added a pass defensed to an outstanding stat line.
The Bruins have had two past winners of The Lott IMPACT Trophy and both are currently playing in the NFL – linebacker Anthony Barr (2013 winner) with the Dallas Cowboys and linebacker Eric Kendricks (2014) currently playing with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is unique because it represents the first college football award to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college award based on the West Coast. THE IMPACT acronym stands for: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Latu and the 2022 Bruins will host No. 15 Washington on Friday night in the Rose Bowl Stadium. The ESPN broadcast will begin at 7:30 p.m. Kickoff time for next week's home game against No. 12 Utah will be 12:30 p.m. in Pasadena.
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LB
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