No. 15 Laiatu Latu
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Latu Named Polynesian Defensive Player of the Year
December 14, 2023 | Football
ย The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Thursday that UCLA's Laiatu Latu has been named as the Polynesian College Football Defensive Player of the Year. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. QB Taulia Tagovailoa of Maryland is this year's offensive winner.
ย
Latuย finishedย the 2023 regular season atop the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) while ranking fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.08) average. He had multiple tackles for loss in seven games during the season and at least 0.5 tackles for loss in each game in 2023. ย Latu was credited with a career-high seven tackles each in games against both USC and Arizona State this season. Latu posted two three-sack performances in 2023 against Colorado and Coastal Carolina.
ย
Latu's total of 21.5 tackles for loss are the most by any player in the nation this season and the highest mark by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2012 campaign with 21.5 TFLs.ย His total of 13.0 sacksย rates tied for third in the country in the category and is tied for third on the all-time UCLA list. It is the most TFLs by a Bruin since Anthony Barr recorded 13.5 in 2012. Latu's 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. 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.
ย
The finalists for this year's offensive and defensive player of the year included DL Jonah Elliss of Utah, OL Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State, WR Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona, RB Jadyn Ott of Cal, OL Troy Fautanu of Washington, DL J.T. Tuimoloau of Ohio State, OL Dominick Puni of Kansas and DB Sione Vaki of Utah.
ย
The winners were selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL player Jack Thompson, coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, inaugural inductee Olin Kreutz, inaugural inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL player Ray Schoenke, former ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett and the NFL Network's Steve Wyche. Latu is the first Bruin player to win the award. The award presentation will be held in Honolulu during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on Jan. 19-20.
ย
"We congratulate Taulia and Laiatu on outstanding seasons and collegiate careers," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Hall of Fame Chairman and Co-Founder. "Their accomplishments are a source of great pride for the Polynesian community."
ย
Past winners:
2014-QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2015-OL Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
2016-QB Sefo Liufau, Colorado
2017-DE Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
2018-QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
2019-QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama and OL Penei Sewell, Oregon
2020-DB Talanoa Hufanga, USC and QB Zach Wilson, BYU
2021-DL Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
2022-DL Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
ย
ย
Latuย finishedย the 2023 regular season atop the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) while ranking fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.08) average. He had multiple tackles for loss in seven games during the season and at least 0.5 tackles for loss in each game in 2023. ย Latu was credited with a career-high seven tackles each in games against both USC and Arizona State this season. Latu posted two three-sack performances in 2023 against Colorado and Coastal Carolina.
ย
Latu's total of 21.5 tackles for loss are the most by any player in the nation this season and the highest mark by a Bruin since Barr finished the 2012 campaign with 21.5 TFLs.ย His total of 13.0 sacksย rates tied for third in the country in the category and is tied for third on the all-time UCLA list. It is the most TFLs by a Bruin since Anthony Barr recorded 13.5 in 2012. Latu's 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. 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.
ย
The finalists for this year's offensive and defensive player of the year included DL Jonah Elliss of Utah, OL Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State, WR Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona, RB Jadyn Ott of Cal, OL Troy Fautanu of Washington, DL J.T. Tuimoloau of Ohio State, OL Dominick Puni of Kansas and DB Sione Vaki of Utah.
ย
The winners were selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL player Jack Thompson, coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, inaugural inductee Olin Kreutz, inaugural inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL player Ray Schoenke, former ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett and the NFL Network's Steve Wyche. Latu is the first Bruin player to win the award. The award presentation will be held in Honolulu during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on Jan. 19-20.
ย
"We congratulate Taulia and Laiatu on outstanding seasons and collegiate careers," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Hall of Fame Chairman and Co-Founder. "Their accomplishments are a source of great pride for the Polynesian community."
ย
Past winners:
2014-QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2015-OL Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
2016-QB Sefo Liufau, Colorado
2017-DE Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
2018-QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
2019-QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama and OL Penei Sewell, Oregon
2020-DB Talanoa Hufanga, USC and QB Zach Wilson, BYU
2021-DL Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
2022-DL Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
ย
Players Mentioned
DL
/ FootballUCLA vs Penn State Cinematic Recap
Monday, October 06
UCLA Football Media Availability - Coach Skipper (Oct. 6, 2025)
Monday, October 06
Highlights - UCLA Football vs. No. 7 Penn State (Oct. 4, 2025)
Saturday, October 04
UCLA Football Postgame - vs. Penn State (Oct. 4, 2025)
Saturday, October 04