UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu will begin his NFL career as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Latu was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the first round to become the first defender taken after the draft started with 14 straight offensive players being picked in Detroit.
He becomes the 36th Bruin drafted in the first round and the first since quarterback Josh Rosen (Cardinals) and tackle Kolton Miller (Raiders) were selected in the 2018 draft.
Latu is coming off a season in which he was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and was awarded the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks trophies. He finished his UCLA career with 85 total tackles (34 for a loss), 23.5 sacks and two interceptions in 25 games played. He also had forced five fumbles and recovered a fumble.
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Some medical concerns regarding his neck forced him to retire before his sophomore season but a second opinion from a doctor and the determination got him back on the field after transferring to UCLA.
More to come on this story