University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Laiatu Latu (15)
Photo by: Sam Lazarus
Latu Named One of Four Finalists for Lombardi Award
November 15, 2023 | Football
UCLA'sย Laiatu Latuย was named one of four finalists for the 50th Lombardi Awardโข in an announcement on Wednesday by the Rotary Club of Houston. The winner of the award will be introduced during a formal dinner and award ceremony on December 6 at Royal Sonesta in Houston. Theย Lombardi Awardโข is presented annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman who exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi in addition to outstanding performance and ability.
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Latu enters this week's contests leading the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is rated fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.10). He posted a career-high seven tackles last week 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.
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Latu's total of 11.0 sacks this season, which rates ninth on the all-time UCLA 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 any player this season and the highest total by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2013 campaign with 20.0 TFLs.ย 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.
UCLA has had four previous finalists for the Lombardi Awardโข โ Jerry Robinson, 1978 (winner Bruce Clark); Jonathan Ogden, 1995 (winner Orlando Pace); Dave Ball, 2003 (winner Tommie Harris); Anthony Barr, 2013 (winner Aaron Donald). This year's other finalists include OT Joe Alt from Notre Dame, TE Brock Bowers from Georgia and DE Jonah Elliss from Utah.
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Latu enters this week's contests leading the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is rated fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.10). He posted a career-high seven tackles last week 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.
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Latu's total of 11.0 sacks this season, which rates ninth on the all-time UCLA 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 any player this season and the highest total by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2013 campaign with 20.0 TFLs.ย 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.
UCLA has had four previous finalists for the Lombardi Awardโข โ Jerry Robinson, 1978 (winner Bruce Clark); Jonathan Ogden, 1995 (winner Orlando Pace); Dave Ball, 2003 (winner Tommie Harris); Anthony Barr, 2013 (winner Aaron Donald). This year's other finalists include OT Joe Alt from Notre Dame, TE Brock Bowers from Georgia and DE Jonah Elliss from Utah.
Players Mentioned
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