UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu was named to the second-team of The Sporting News' College Football All-America team in an announcement on Tuesday morning. The senior appeared in all 13 games last season and led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
In 2022, Latu ranked eighth in the nation and second in the Pac-12 with a 0.81 sacks per game mark. His total of 10.5 sacks was the most by a Bruin player since Anthony Barr registered 13.5 in the 2012 season and rate as the 12th-most by a Bruin player in school history.
Latu posted 2022 season-highs with 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in a game at Colorado and was honored as Pac-12 Player of the Week for that performance in Boulder. In addition, he was credited with three forced fumbles (Alabama State, Colorado, Stanford) and a fumble recovery at Cal. The Sacramento native was named 2022 first-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus after being selected to the Associated Press and The Athletic Mid-season All-America Teams.
In the 2023 preseason, Latu has been recognized on the several watch lists including for the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defender), Bednarik Award (most outstanding defensive player in college football), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Polynesian Player of the Year. He was also selected by the media to the first-team of the Pac-12 Conference all-league squad prior to conference media day.
UCLA will open up the 2023 season on Sept. 2 in the Rose Bowl Stadium against Coastal Carolina. The ESPN broadcast is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Game two will be at San Diego State on Sept. 9. The Bruins return to Pasadena on Sept. 16 for a 2 p.m. date with North Carolina Central to complete the non-conference slate.
In 2022, Latu ranked eighth in the nation and second in the Pac-12 with a 0.81 sacks per game mark. His total of 10.5 sacks was the most by a Bruin player since Anthony Barr registered 13.5 in the 2012 season and rate as the 12th-most by a Bruin player in school history.
Latu posted 2022 season-highs with 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in a game at Colorado and was honored as Pac-12 Player of the Week for that performance in Boulder. In addition, he was credited with three forced fumbles (Alabama State, Colorado, Stanford) and a fumble recovery at Cal. The Sacramento native was named 2022 first-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus after being selected to the Associated Press and The Athletic Mid-season All-America Teams.
In the 2023 preseason, Latu has been recognized on the several watch lists including for the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defender), Bednarik Award (most outstanding defensive player in college football), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Polynesian Player of the Year. He was also selected by the media to the first-team of the Pac-12 Conference all-league squad prior to conference media day.
UCLA will open up the 2023 season on Sept. 2 in the Rose Bowl Stadium against Coastal Carolina. The ESPN broadcast is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Game two will be at San Diego State on Sept. 9. The Bruins return to Pasadena on Sept. 16 for a 2 p.m. date with North Carolina Central to complete the non-conference slate.