#Laiatu Latu

[domas-sabonis]

[wiersema1]

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Preview

The 2024 NFL Draft starts on Thursday night. Here's our Chicago Bears preview with our top 9 mock draft, as well as all four Bears selections.

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Preview 2024 NFL Draft – Detroit, MI Round 1 (Thursday, April 25, 7pm), Rounds 2-3 (Friday, April 26, 6pm), Rounds 4-7 (Saturday, April 27, 11am) ‘The Writing Is On the Wall’ Has the ‘writing on the wall’ ever been more clear than this year’s #1 overall draft pick? I think we all knew the #1 pick over a year ago, maybe all the way back to the 2022 college season,…

[bearterritory]

Cal Rolls Past UCLA, 33-7

Ott has 100-yard kickoff return

LOS ANGELES -- In the final Pac-12 regular season game in history, the Golden Bears decided to make it memorable. Not only did the defense force four turnovers and Cal score on a 100 yard kickoff return, but they won their third game in a row to become bowl eligible.

California crushed their hosts 33-7 and actually the game wasn't even that close. Besides Jaydn Ott's 100 yard score, Jeremiah Hunter had a pair of touchdown receptions from Fernando Mendoza and Mateen Bhaghani kicked four field goals for the Golden Bears (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12), who passed their baby bear cousins in the standings and won what could be the last meeting between the two UC teams for the foreseeable future.

“It was a month ago there wasn't a lot of positivity around the program. I think it just speaks to the character of the guys in the room,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox  said.

UCLA, which had started the remarkable conference collapse last June when it announced that it was moving to the Big Ten Conference in 2024, was hit upside the head by a group of scrappy, angry Cal players who were ready to get their revenge for the fiasco the Pac-12 has become. They also dropped Chip Kelly to 34-34 in his six seasons at Westwood and put his job on the line. The greed and fear that drove UCLA and USC to dump their conference after nearly a century saw them lose out in their final season games and exposed their weaknesses as football programs that have seen better days but underachieved in recent years as teams such as Washington, Oregon and Utah have eclipsed them.

The Bruins (7-5, 4-5) committed four turnovers that resulted in 13 Cal points. Quarterback Ethan Garber (little brother of former Cal QB Chase Garber, who decided to snub Berkeley when he was being recruited) was sacked early and had to leave the game after only 12 plays due to a right shoulder injury on the play. Freshman Dante Moore had to take over and was only 23 of 38 with two interceptions. He was also sacked six times. Cal's Cade Uluave had 12 tackles, a sack and an interception for the Bears, who only trailed for 16 seconds midway through the second quarter.

"The guys played with guts," Wilcox said. "I just have so much respect for the guys in that locker room - finishing the season the way we have. I have a lot of pride seeing those guys enjoy the moment."

After UCLA took a 7-6 lead on Logan Loya's 5-yard touchdown catch, Ott fielded R.J. Lopez's kick at the goal line. The sophomore found a seam near the Cal 20-yard line and then went up the right sideline the rest of the way.

It is tied for the third-longest kickoff return in Cal history and the sixth time it has had one of 100 yards or more. It was also the first kickoff return for Ott this season. Wilcox said the plan was to use Ott as a returner because UCLA came into the game leading the nation in run defense, and he didn't think Ott would get many opportunities with the ball.

“We know that Jaydn is an electric player. I give a lot of credit to our special team staff as well for getting it schemed up,” Wilcox said.

Ott also had 80 yards on 21 carries. Mendoza completed 19 of 30 for 178 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Not a lot of people believed in us, especially when we said in the interviews that we were going to burn the boats (beat Washington State), burn the forest (defeat Stanford) and now burn down the city (beat UCLA) and crush the Bruins," Mendoza said. "But everyone in that locker room really believed that and we knew it was gonna happen.”

Cal led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter on a pair of field goals by Bhaghani. After UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu picked off Mendoza's pass and returned it to the Cal 8, the Bruins took the lead three plays later when Moore connected with Loya for a 5-yard TD.

UCLA's advantage would be extremely short lived though as Ott ran back the ensuing kickoff and devastated the home crowd, who fell nearly silent the rest of the game.

Cal extended its lead to 20-7 late in the first half. Three plays after Brett Johnson recovered Moore's fumble at the UCLA 11, Hunter scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mendoza with 10 seconds remaining.

Bhaghani had a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and Hunter caught a 13-yard pass in the left corner of the end zone to further the Golden Bears' advantage. Hunter finished with eight receptions for 101 yards.

Several thousand Golden Bear enthusiasts who made the trip to the Rose Bowl stayed well after the end of Cal's 33-7 victory over UCLA, dancing and celebrating in the stands behind the South end zone along with players, coaches and staff. The players carried the enthusiasm into the locker room, flying high on their three game win streak after suffering some extremely close losses mid-season.

"I want them to soak it up," Wilcox said. "I want them to be with their brothers. There's nothing like that. That's why a lot of us coach - you can't find that anywhere else. As gut-wrenching and agonizing losing is, there's no feeling like being on the other end of the spectrum - especially under the circumstances and what was at stake. I'm just really proud of those guys. I have a lot of love for those people in that locker room."

The Bears are expected to find out their bowl bid on Sunday, December 3. It will be the third bowl so far in the Wilcox era.

[itsnotgray]

oooh so the colts go laiatu latu at 15 despite the medical stuff he’s got surrounding him

latu is also the first defensive player off the board!

[ramtracking]

Bucky Brooks' top five 2024 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0: Laiatu Latu new top edge rusher [ NFL draft ]

Bucky Brooks’ top five 2024 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0: Laiatu Latu new top edge rusher [Highlights] Bucky Brooks unveils his final ranking of the top five prospects at each position ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Ahead of Draft Day, take a look at the top ten players at each defensive position of the draft available talent in 2024. When everyone has an opinion on a topic, the sports…

[news4usonline]

UCLA Pro Day a boon for draft prospects

WESTWOOD, Calif. - The UCLA Bruins kicked off their football pro day on March 15, offering NFL scouts another glimpse at potential draft picks. UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster said, “We are getting so close to where dreams could edge closer to reality.” With the draft set from April 25–27 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan, anticipation ran high as players wanted to prove themselves in the most effective ways possible.

Edge rusher Laiatu Latu at the UCLA Pro Day on March 15, 2024. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline The draft can shape an athlete's professional destiny. UCLA star defensive lineman Laiatu Latu's career path seems to be on an upward trajectory. Following a medical retirement due to a neck injury sustained at Washington, Latu's unlikely resurgence could position him as UCLA's potential first-round draft pick since 2018. Transitioning from being told he'd never play again to receiving much support within the NFL, truly made him feel that this moment was “life-altering” “Being around those top-rated guys at the NFL combine truly made me feel so special,” Latu said. "From someone that I idolize, Maxx Crosby to hit me up and support me, it honestly felt surreal as hell.” On the majority of draft boards, Latu is set to be drafted in the first round, and even with all of this pressure, Latu said he is locked in on making his goals a reality. “My family has been super supportive, and my agent has always been for me when I need him,” Latu said. “Any team that is looking at me will get someone dedicated, loyal, and a guy who will put the pressure on the QB in whatever way possible.” Latu joins a stacked roster of standout athletes at the pro day, including defensive backs Alex Johnson and Kenny Churchwell III, running back Carson Steele, and defensive linemen Gabriel Murphy and Grayson Murphy. Johnson and Churchwell III had eye-catching performances, going nearly perfect on DB position-based drills and showcasing their versatility with each cut and movement within their stride.

Running back Carson Steele goes through some agility drills during the UCLA Pro Day on March 15, 2024. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline Johnson commented that he wanted to show the team his “futility” with each play on the field. Johnson not only thanked his teammates but also echoed how much the UCLA Bruins have helped during this stressful and lengthy process. “Guys like Latu, Churchwell, and even head coach Foster, they all have been great team leaders in this process,” Johnson said. “I feel that I have made a big transition with taking my workout routine seriously and I have a meeting with the niner after this so I hope things will turn out great for all the work I know I've been putting in. After the pro day, head coach Foster believes both DLs Gabriel Murphy and Grayson Murphy will have great careers due to how much spirit and heart they play with. “These guys had amazing NFL Combine results, and they truly will make an impact on any team that selects them,” Foster said. “I feel that they had a good chance to also showcase some of the skills they want to highlight such as their strength, physicality, and their instincts when it comes to having to be smart in clutch plays down the stretch of the game.” Steele was also looking to grab everyone's attention at the pro day, as he practiced for nearly 20 minutes straight doing high-impact and energetic drills. Steele  mentioned after the pro day that “even with the hot sun glaring down on me, I had to show you guys why I deserve  a shot at someone I love so much.”

UCLA head football coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media shortly after the UCLA Pro Day on March 15, 2024. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline Many draft boards have Steele as a late-round pick, but head coach Foster believes he is underrated. “His agility, strength, and post-catch aggression are absolutely perfect,” said Foster. “Me, previously a scout, this would be someone I would want to have my eyes on if my team needed a solid running back who would get the job done with ease." The Bruins have cultivated several top draft prospects, and only time will reveal where these athletes will land in the 2024 draft. "These guys have worked so hard, and I know I was put on this earth to help players get better, so I hope I make you Bruins proud for our future as a football program," said Foster. Read the full article

[nflespn]

UCLA’s Laiatu Latu becomes first Lombardi Award winner in school history https://nflespn.net/nfl/uclas-laiatu-latu-becomes-first-lombardi-award-winner-in-school-history/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

[freenewstoday]

New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2021/04/21/washingtons-tupuola-fetui-out-with-torn-achilles/

Washington's Tupuola-Fetui out with torn Achilles

Washington outside linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui suffered a torn Achilles and will miss six to 10 months, coach Jimmy Lake announced Wednesday.

In Washington’s four-game 2020 season, Tupuola-Fetui recorded seven sacks and was named a third-team AP All-American.

He is expected to have surgery to repair the injury later this week and the recovery timeline calls into question his availability to play at all in 2021.

The Huskies also lost linebacker Laiatu Latu to a medical retirement this offseason.

Source

[domas-sabonis]

[news4usonline]

Cal surprises UCLA with road win

The UCLA Bruins football team started their 2023 campaign with a bang. It ended with a loud thud. After starting the season off winning three straight games, the Bruins closed the regular season losing three of their last four games, including dropping a 33-7 beatdown to the Cal Golden Bears at the Rose Bowl Stadium.   Suffice it to say, the defeat to Cal at home was not the way that Chip Kelly and the Bruins had envisioned finishing off the season, especially a week after dispatching crosstown rival USC. Cal put up 20 points in the first half and added 13 more points in the fourth quarter to win the game decisively.  After the game, Kelly talked to the media about how the Bruins’ promising season turned into a different direction.   

UCLA defensive lineman Gabriel Murphy (11) assists on a tackle to bring down a Cal Golden Bears ball carrier in a Pac-12 Conference matchup at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline “It was a tough season,” Kelly said. “I think we’ve got one more opportunity, as I told the players in the locker room, they’ve got one more opportunity to get this taste out of their mouths. We do not know when we are going to play or where we’re going to play . We’ll find that out a week from tomorrow.  “But this group’s got one more chance to send our seniors out the right way. And we knew going into this we had one more bowl game, but that wasn’t our plan. Our plan was to do it tonight. We didn’t. Give Cal credit. They did a really good job tonight. But it has been a tough season. We have one more chance to show what we can do.” There were a couple of things that directly contributed to Cal pulling off the upset against the Bruins. First things first. UCLA could not run the football. For the game, the Bruins rushed the ball 36 times for a grand total of 70 yards, a paltry 1.9 yards per carry.  UCLA also lost two of three fumbles, allowed Dante Moore to be sacked six times, and converted only one of five red zone opportunities in the game. Kelly talked about the errors and missed opportunities his team had.  “Yeah, we obviously didn’t – special teams tonight had a kickoff return for a touchdown,” Kelly remarked. “We fumbled a kickoff. They had a good hit, but we’ve got to hold onto the football. From a special teams standpoint and an offensive standpoint, again, we moved the ball but we didn’t convert that into points. I think that we wasted a really good effort from our defense.” UCLA redshirt senior defensive back Alex Johnson was able to put things into proper perspective despite the Bruins not coming up victorious in their regular season finale.  “Even with the way things went, I honestly wouldn’t take away anything that happened,” Johnson said. “Going out to play that game with my brothers, with Dante, it’s always a blessing. It’s special for me looking at where I’ve come from personally to where I am now. 

Cal wide receiver Mavin Anderson (11) attempts to break away from the grasp of UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu in the Golden Bears' 33-7 win against the Bruins on Nov. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline “I tried to not get too emotional about it, but obviously it was a big thing and it’s something I’ll always cherish with me no matter the outcome. Just being able to be out on the field cheering my guys on, being excited, it was one for the memories.” While UCLA struggled to close out the 2023 college football season, Cal won their last three games and might have improved their chances of going to a bowl.  “We had to believe,” Cal freshman linebacker Cade Uluave said. “We had to be persistent, and we knew it was not going to be easy getting those three wins. But we knew it was possible. Coach Wilcox really hits on that. After the loss at Oregon in the locker room after that day he said we’re going to bounce back, get these three wins, and we’re going to go to a bowl game. That’s what he said the entire time and we believed him. We trust him and it’s worked out for us.” Read the full article

[news4usonline]

Cal surprises UCLA with road win

The UCLA Bruins football team started their 2023 campaign with a bang. It ended with a loud thud. After starting the season off winning three straight games, the Bruins closed the regular season losing three of their last four games, including dropping a 33-7 beatdown to the Cal Golden Bears at the Rose Bowl Stadium.   Suffice it to say, the defeat to Cal at home was not the way that Chip Kelly and the Bruins had envisioned finishing off the season, especially a week after dispatching crosstown rival USC. Cal put up 20 points in the first half and added 13 more points in the fourth quarter to win the game decisively.  After the game, Kelly talked to the media about how the Bruins’ promising season turned into a different direction.   

UCLA defensive lineman Gabriel Murphy (11) assists on a tackle to bring down a Cal Golden Bears ball carrier in a Pac-12 Conference matchup at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline “It was a tough season,” Kelly said. “I think we’ve got one more opportunity, as I told the players in the locker room, they’ve got one more opportunity to get this taste out of their mouths. We do not know when we are going to play or where we’re going to play . We’ll find that out a week from tomorrow.  “But this group’s got one more chance to send our seniors out the right way. And we knew going into this we had one more bowl game, but that wasn’t our plan. Our plan was to do it tonight. We didn’t. Give Cal credit. They did a really good job tonight. But it has been a tough season. We have one more chance to show what we can do.” There were a couple of things that directly contributed to Cal pulling off the upset against the Bruins. First things first. UCLA could not run the football. For the game, the Bruins rushed the ball 36 times for a grand total of 70 yards, a paltry 1.9 yards per carry.  UCLA also lost two of three fumbles, allowed Dante Moore to be sacked six times, and converted only one of five red zone opportunities in the game. Kelly talked about the errors and missed opportunities his team had.  “Yeah, we obviously didn’t – special teams tonight had a kickoff return for a touchdown,” Kelly remarked. “We fumbled a kickoff. They had a good hit, but we’ve got to hold onto the football. From a special teams standpoint and an offensive standpoint, again, we moved the ball but we didn’t convert that into points. I think that we wasted a really good effort from our defense.” UCLA redshirt senior defensive back Alex Johnson was able to put things into proper perspective despite the Bruins not coming up victorious in their regular season finale.  “Even with the way things went, I honestly wouldn’t take away anything that happened,” Johnson said. “Going out to play that game with my brothers, with Dante, it’s always a blessing. It’s special for me looking at where I’ve come from personally to where I am now. 

Cal wide receiver Mavin Anderson (11) attempts to break away from the grasp of UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu in the Golden Bears' 33-7 win against the Bruins on Nov. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline “I tried to not get too emotional about it, but obviously it was a big thing and it’s something I’ll always cherish with me no matter the outcome. Just being able to be out on the field cheering my guys on, being excited, it was one for the memories.” While UCLA struggled to close out the 2023 college football season, Cal won their last three games and might have improved their chances of going to a bowl.  “We had to believe,” Cal freshman linebacker Cade Uluave said. “We had to be persistent, and we knew it was not going to be easy getting those three wins. But we knew it was possible. Coach Wilcox really hits on that. After the loss at Oregon in the locker room after that day he said we’re going to bounce back, get these three wins, and we’re going to go to a bowl game. That’s what he said the entire time and we believed him. We trust him and it’s worked out for us.” Read the full article