Latu Selected as a Finalist for the Bednarik Award
November 28, 2023 | Football
Philadelphia -- Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced on Tuesday that UCLA's Laiatu Latu is a 2023 finalist for the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. The winner of the Bednarik Award will be revealed as part of the ESPN College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 8 beginning at 4 p.m. PT.
Latu concluded the 2023 regular season leading the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.08). He posted a career-high seven tackles each in games against both USC and Arizona State and has racked up 27 total tackles over the past five contests. Latu was credited with 2.0 sacks at USC and totaled 3.0 tackles for loss at Arizona. He had his second three-sack game of 2023 and the third of his career in the win over Colorado. He made his first career interception in the September win against North Carolina Central and added a second against Cal. Latu enjoyed the first three-sack game of this season against Coastal Carolina and added a forced fumble in that victory.
With a total of 13.0 sacks this season, Latu rates tied for third on the all-time UCLA list, which is the most since Anthony Barr recorded 13.5 in 2012. His total of 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons is the most by a UCLA player since Barr compiled the same total in 2012 and 2013. Latu's 21.5 tackles for loss are the most by any player in the nation this season and the highest total by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2012 campaign with 21.5 TFLs. He has registered at least a half a sack in eight of the 12 games this season and, last season, he was credited with at least a half sack in eight of the 13 games in 2022.
UCLA's defense ended the regular season ranked 11th in the nation. The average of 299.0 yards per game allowed is the lowest by a Bruin team since 1992 (297.8). The Bruins led the nation in rushing defense with a mark of 69.6 yards per game and rated third in the country in sacks per game (3.42). UCLA allowed just 2.33 yards per rush to rank second nationally and post the lowest mark by Bruin team since 1985. The total of 41 sacks on the season is the third-most in the country this season and most by a UCLA team since 2012. The Bruins allowed multiple touchdowns in just five games during the season.
Voting for the Bednarik Award will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.
Chuck Bednarik played 14 seasons in the NFL after being the first selection in the 1949 Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He played on two NFL Championship teams and was named All-Pro eight times during his pro career. Bednarik has been chosen for the NFL's 50th, 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time teams. In college, Bednarik was a three-time All-America selection at the University of Pennsylvania where he played center, linebacker and punter. He placed third in the 1948 Heisman Trophy voting and won the Maxwell Award. In 1969, he was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the greatest centers of all-time. Bednarik was also a highly decorated war hero before attending college. Following graduation from high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force and flew combat missions over Germany during World War II. Bednarik was awarded the Air Medal, four Oak Leaf Clusters, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and four Battle Stars for his military service.
2023 Chuck Bednarik Award Finalists
Dallas Turner Alabama Linebacker
Payton Wilson NC State Linebacker
Laiatu Latu UCLA Defensive Line
