Once fearing his NFL dream was over, Laiatu Latu soaks in a ‘surreal as hell’ UCLA pro day

Defensive lineman Laiatu Latu leaps for a pass while running a drill at UCLA pro day on Friday. Latu is projected to be selected in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

Laiatu Latu knelt down on the turf at the starting line of the 40-yard dash in a position he had seen so many NFL stars take before him. He felt the eyes of general managers and coaches at the NFL combine in Indianapolis lock onto him. His heart was pounding.

He was not supposed to be here.

After medically retiring because of a neck injury suffered at Washington, Latu improbable comeback could soon make him UCLA’s first first-round draft pick since 2018. The rise from being told he would never play football again to getting texts of encouragement from NFL idols such as Maxx Crosby all feels “surreal as hell,” Latu said Friday after UCLA’s pro day on campus.

“I’m living everyday like it’s my last,” Latu said. “Showing dudes that I love this game maybe more than they might have thought. And really [to] just inspire the world with what I went through. … If you got the love and dedication for something, you’re going to make it happen.”

Read more: Thriving on the edge of destruction, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu is an unstoppable force

After performing well at the combine, including a 4.64-second 40-yard dash, Latu still participated in several general drills and position exercises Friday to show his versatility. The proven pass rusher with 23.5 sacks in the last two seasons wanted to display his ability to drop into coverage as several teams have reached out about possibly using him in multiple positions.

Teams have asked about the neck injury that nearly ended his career, but haven’t been deterred, Latu said. Scouts have been more inspired by his return.

“[He’s] somebody whose ‘why’ is bigger than just money,” UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster said. “For him to come back from the type of injury that he’s had, that lets you know the type of…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/once-fearing-nfl-dream-over-222250424.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-03-15 22:22:50

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