UCLA's Laiatu Latu was named a semi-finalist for the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award in an announcement by The Maxwell Football Club on Monday. The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
Latu is leading the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is rated fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.10) this season. He posted a career-high seven tackles in last week's game against Arizona State. Latu totaled 3.0 tackles for loss at Arizona and had his second three-sack game of 2023 and the third of his career against Colorado. He made his first career interception in the win against North Carolina Central. Latu enjoyed his first three-sack game of this season against Coastal Carolina and added a forced fumble in that victory.
Latu's total of 11.0 sacks this season, which rates ninth on the all-time school list, is the most since Anthony Barr recorded 13.5 in 2012. His total of 21.5 sacks over the last two seasons is the most by a UCLA player since Barr compiled 23.5 in 2012 and 2013. Latu's 18.5 tackles for loss are the most by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2013 season with 20.0 TFLs. He has registered at least a half a sack in seven of the 10 games this season and, last season, he was credited with at least a half sack in eight of the 13 games in 2022.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Latu is leading the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is rated fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.10) this season. He posted a career-high seven tackles in last week's game against Arizona State. Latu totaled 3.0 tackles for loss at Arizona and had his second three-sack game of 2023 and the third of his career against Colorado. He made his first career interception in the win against North Carolina Central. Latu enjoyed his first three-sack game of this season against Coastal Carolina and added a forced fumble in that victory.
Latu's total of 11.0 sacks this season, which rates ninth on the all-time school list, is the most since Anthony Barr recorded 13.5 in 2012. His total of 21.5 sacks over the last two seasons is the most by a UCLA player since Barr compiled 23.5 in 2012 and 2013. Latu's 18.5 tackles for loss are the most by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2013 season with 20.0 TFLs. He has registered at least a half a sack in seven of the 10 games this season and, last season, he was credited with at least a half sack in eight of the 13 games in 2022.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
The winner of the Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday December 8, 2023. The formal presentation of the Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 87th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held on Friday March 8, 2024.