Agreed. I'm just a bit irritated at the "he was told to retire and he's one hit away from being out of the league forever" guys to quantify what that means.

Granted they really aren't here though. Most people here seem to love the pick. In all honestly I didn't think he was much of a possibility, so I didn't bother research him much other than the game I saw him dominate my poor Buffs.

The more tape you watch of this guy, the better it is. He's legit dominant.

Doyel actually included some useful information in his column on Latu:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...g/73382928007/

JMO but if a world renowned surgeon cleared him and there hasn't been any issues in the 2 years of playing since then, then there's probably not much if any additional injury risk for him than there is for anyone else in the NFL.

Doyel has to tread softly right now, because half the sports world is livid with him.

Just saw Latu meeting the local press. Very likable personality, he's going to be a fan favorite.

The tape shows a Myles Garrett level game wrecker to me.

So I've been watching clip after clip after clip of Latu and I've come to the realization that I would not know where to play him.

A lot of people want to pigeon hole him as strictly a Leo, and that's not the case. Latu can play 3-tech, he can play strong, he can play Leo.

What I think I know though, is if he's used correctly, Defo should have a career year. Latu may not have record breaking sack numbers as a rookie, but I can see him lined up next to Defo, in almost any alignment, where one of the two of them is going to make a play.

This has the makings of a fun season, if Bradley doesn't screw it up!

He's not a classic LEO for Bradley's defense. Honestly, Paye is more of that than Latu is. That said, I agree about the positional versatility that Latu has, and he can wreck a guard just as well as he can wreck a tackle. Latu can play LEO, though, which is just a testament to how versatile and disruptive Latu is as a pass rusher.

Why is half the sports world livid with him ????

His ridiculous attempts at winning over Caitlyn Clark, has stirred up quite a few, and the rest were already holding him in contempt for his yellow journalism coverage of Indiana sports.

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Laiatu Latu’s First Career NFL Sack Confirms What He’s Always Known: ‘They Drafted Me for This Moment'

(By Amanda Foster)

https://www.colts.com/news/laiatu-la...n-chicago-beas

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(vs. STEELERS, 9/22)


When I stepped away from the game for a few minutes, some posters said that Latu made a really good play in the 4th quarter while the Steelers' offense was racking up momentum in their comeback bid.

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(4 WEEKS LATER)



Colts Believe In Rookie Laiatu Latu Despite Slow Start

(By Stephen Holder)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ve-laiatu-latu

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(DECEMBER 9th)



3 Colts Rookies Who Have Shown Out in 2024

(By Drake Wally)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/co...ut-laiatu-latu

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(NOVEMBER 14th, 2025)



QB Pressures: lll Laiatu Latu ) (38)

QB Sacks: lllllllllllllll Laiatu Latu ) (5)

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllll. Laiatu Latu, Mekhi Blackmon, Cam Bynum ) (2)




SOURCE: ) Paul Bretl, Colts Wire




*********************************************



Passing Yards: llllllllllllllllllllll. Daniel Jones ) (2,659)

Rushing Yards: llllllllllllllllllllll. Jonathan Taylor ) (1,139)

Receiving Yards: llllllllllllllll) Tytler Warren ) (617)

Top Graded Blocker: llllllll. Quentin Nelson

Tackles: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Nick Cross ) (69)

Pass Breakups: lllllllllllllllllllllll) Kenny Moore, Zaire Franklin, Charvarius Ward, Cam Bynum ) (3)

Special Teams Tackles lll. Drew Ogletree ) (8)

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We are now 65% of the way into the season, and a defensive lineman leads the team outright in INT's (Latu has 3 INT's.)

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Man, that was one HECK of a play yesterday by Latu. Just really great football.

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https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ngGMbZ6ydH0/o...RwwNkm2oITwXJQ

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The Colts’ Laiatu Latu Is Embracing Pressure of Leading Pass Rush Group

(By Andrew Moore)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/onsi/co...sure-pass-rush



The Indianapolis Colts conducted a rebuild of the defensive end position following an underwhelming 2025 season.

Gone are the likes of Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis, who combined for 1,460 snaps but only nine sacks last year. Indy replaced that trio with a couple of free agent veterans (Arden Key, Micheal Clemons) and Day 3 draft picks (George Gumbs Jr., Caden Curry.)

The hope is that this group, along with 2nd-year player Jaylahn Tuimoloau, can produce at a higher level than the pass rush did a season ago. It's a risky bet by the Colts after striking out on adding Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson this off-season.

But for the Colts' pass rush to truly thrive, it's going to take Laiatu Latu making another leap in Year 3. The former No.15 pick understands that the Colts are counting on him to live up to that first-round status, and Latu is welcoming the pressure with open arms.

"Without Kwity or Samson here, they're looking to me to be one of the guys, and a leader in that aspect," Latu mentioned. "So, I'm doing that part on the field and off the field.”

Latu made a noticeable jump in Year 2, leading the Colts with 8.5 sacks while adding 2 INT's and 1 forced fumble. He was also credited with 61 pressures by Pro-Football-Focus, ranking 15th among edge defenders. It was a solid season for Latu in his first season under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

However, to become the double-digit sack guy that the Colts desperately need, Latu will need to improve finishing sacks. There were numerous times when it looked like Latu had a quarterback in his grasp, only to have them get out of the sack at the last second. Finishing sacks has been a focus of Latu's throughout the offseason.

"There's definitely stuff I can fix in my rushes, where their hand might have got me here, and I could have reduced certain surface level," Latu explained. "Or just a lot of little things that I'm watching film and I'm trying to correct out here to where I'm winning more of the time quicker.”

One area Latu thinks will help him finish sacks is by simply hitting the weight room harder. The pass rusher has added strength and mass to his frame to help him become a more powerful, more intense rusher. Having the strength to brush off counters from opposing offensive tackles more easily should allow Latu to get to the quarterback more quickly as well.

"I’ve definitely lost good body fat and gained muscle mass on me," Latu said. "I think it definitely shows I was really locked in the offseason ...... really just growing a lot of strength, but keeping my bend and stuff like that.”

There is a tremendous belief from the Colts' coaching staff in Latu's potential. Shane Steichen has spoken glowingly of the young pass rusher, and Anarumo believes Latu is only scratching the surface of his potential. While it is admittedly hard to judge pass rushers during OTAs since pads and hitting are not permitted, Steichen continues to be pleased by what he has seen.

“I think that Latu has worked tremendously hard this offseason," Steichen admitted. "Obviously we're not in pads right now, but he's had some good pass-rush moves, and you can see the strength and explosiveness off the ball. So we obviously want a big year from him, and I know that he wants that as well.”

For the Colts' defense to reach new heights, Latu's ascension will play a pivotal role. Question marks surround Indy's pass rush and whether the team has enough firepower heading into the season. But if Latu can become what he and the Colts believe he can, it would go a long way towards solving that problem.

"I'm trying my best day in and day out, trying to be the best I can," Latu remarked. "I'm just attacking it like I want to be the best.”

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