2024 NFL Draft: Jim Harbaugh Meets Lombardi Winner Laiatu Latu to Expose His Interest on UCLA Edge Rusher

UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu will forever remember yesterday’s date. The Lombardi Award winner got the opportunity to meet the Los Angeles Chargers’ new head coach, Jim Harbaugh. What better time to meet the coaching maestro than right before the NFL Draft? Latu shared the moment on his Instagram story. 

The UCLA Bruins had one of the best defensive seasons in the country last year, and the star defensive edge rusher draws all the credit. After Washington Huskies and UCLA, is it time for Latu to join Jim Harbaugh’s squad?

Harbaugh-Latu meet up

Latu had good news to share with his fans. A few hours ago, he posted a smiling picture of himself, posing a V-sign with the legendary Chargers HC, Harbaugh. The caption of the Instagram story read “Legendary.” There seems to be something cooking behind the picture, with Latu’s chances of joining Los Angeles ranging high. 

In 2023, Latu rose to fame during the college football season. He was the recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award and the Lombardi Award. Besides this, he earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. Eventually, Latu thrived as a Bruin and posted double-digit sack seasons between 2022 and 2023. Ever since Harbaugh joined the Chargers, he established his need to rebuild that defensive lineman position group from the studs. Even though defensive lineman Kris Jenkins Jr. appears to be a prime candidate, the Instagram story tells something else.

Areas in which Latu excels

If Harbaugh’s wish to draft Latu materializes, the Chargers will benefit in multiple ways. The defensive end has the most complete pass-rushing skill set of the entire draft class. He can also rush both the inside and outside shoulders of opposing tackles. Latu is also in charge of the ability to dip and bend per the requirement and squeeze under and around linemen.

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During the run game, he exhibits expert hand usage and lines up in a level two-point stance when locked out. Few of us know that he holds an effective pass-rush portfolio. Latu has earned the highest overall PFF grade in 2023 among all the FBS defenders.

Another record the player holds notes that he has put up the highest pass-rush productivity (13.3) among the defensive edges in this draft. Even though confirmation from Jim Harbaugh about Latu joining the Chargers program is yet to come up, the player surely has impressed the coaching maestro with his records.

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