A new Indianapolis Colts player is league-ready, according to his offseason defensive line coach.
Fans of the Indianapolis Colts can look forward to some entertaining players this season, particularly on the defensive line. Proven veterans such as DeForest Buckner and Samson Ebukam will lead the way, but rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu may be on the rise in Indianapolis.
Latu was the first defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, slipping all the way to 15th overall. His fall made general manager Chris Ballard one of the league’s happiest executives, claiming, “We got the best f—king rusher in the draft”.
Draft to compete. #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/Cf03uf8vGv
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 28, 2024
Since being drafted, Latu has only increased his workload. His personal defensive line coach, Eddy McGilvra, who also works with four other Colts, recently spoke on the Locked On Colts podcast and stated that Latu is one of those players that is fascinated with his trade.
Everybody that trains with him that hasn’t seen him train or rush before or move around, it’s always like a little jaw-dropping for them. They’re like ‘Man, this kid’s already got it like that?’… Obsessed people do great things, and he’s one of those guys. He can’t get enough football.
Latu’s college career was horrible for a person who loves football as much as McGilvra claims. Latu began his career at the University of Washington before being forced to medically retire in the spring of 2021 due to a severe neck injury.
After nearly two years of recuperation, Latu was cleared to play football for UCLA before the 2022 season. He went on to record 23.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 85 total tackles over his remaining two healthy seasons. These statistics gave him a 96.3 PFF grade in 2023, the highest in college football for defenders.
UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu has INCREDIBLE stable metrics via @PFF
⭐100th percentile pass rush grade
⭐100th percentile pass rush grade on true pass rushes
⭐100th percentile pass rush grade w/o play action
⭐99th percentile pass rush win rate
⭐97th percentile run defense grade pic.twitter.com/enWhAqwq27
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2024
Before his name was called in the draft, McGilvra contacted Latu’s agent, claiming he moves eerily like Pittsburgh Steelers great T.J. Watt. Despite insisting that the analogy is a “thief of joy,” McGilvra couldn’t help but notice similarities between the two rushers.
Furthermore, another veteran training beside Latu commented that the rookie resembles him of Joey and Nick Bosa. Latu’s combination of height and agility makes him a difficult matchup for any offensive lineman, therefore his comparisons must be taken seriously.
“He easily has the most tools in his tool box as a pass rusher…reminds me of TJ Watt.”@GregCosell talking UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu: pic.twitter.com/05tcGji5ny
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 24, 2024
The Colts community has plenty of reasons to be excited for the boys in blue to return to the field. Latu’s first game at Lucas Oil Stadium will be against a budding star, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. A sack against the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year would surely be a fantastic start to Latu’s NFL career.
