When Laiatu Latu was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, head coach Shane Steichen and the rest of the organization knew right away what they were getting.
They knew Latu was a naturally athletic and highly motivated defensive end who excelled as a pass rusher in his two seasons at UCLA. They knew he held himself to a high standard and was going to be relentless in his pursuit to be the best football player he could be.
That's just the kind of person Latu is, and that desire to be great is what has allowed him to grow the most in his first season in the NFL.
When Latu put on a Colts uniform for the first time, it was for the Colts' first preseason game against the Denver Broncos. The rookie's first appearance in the NFL was a bit of a wakeup call – in the best kind of way – as he was double-teamed and chipped on his very first NFL rep. Even then, opponents knew the threat Latu posed at the line of scrimmage.
Now, 14 weeks into the season, that treatment hasn't stopped. So, Latu has adjusted. He learned to not get frustrated when he struggles, and to keep working hard no matter what.
"That was something we noticed as soon as he came in, even watching college film, he can win one-on-ones with, really, the best in the league," linebacker Zaire Franklin said. "But in the NFL, you win a couple one-on-ones, you don't get one-on-ones anymore. Now you're getting chipped, now you're thumped, now they're sliding to you – it gets frustrating. But I think he's done a good job of being relentless, focusing on process, focusing on taking one play at a time, one drive at a time, and when you do get your opportunity, taking advantage of it."
In the face of those challenges every week, Latu has adopted the mindset to "just keep rushing," learning from the guys he's around every day – especially nine-year veteran and All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Much like Latu, Buckner was a first-round draft pick, back in 2016. Buckner started every game in his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers (and has started 132 of 137 career games) and had to quickly adjust to the pressure of being a first-round pick while still learning how to play at the professional level.
Now, he's using that experience to help Latu.
"That's a lot of pressure on a young kid coming into the league and trying to find himself," Buckner said. "But he's been coming along...I told him, the more reps that I got, the slower the game came for me. And it started to slow down, and I was able to see more and really play my game. I feel like he's been really coming along over the past month."
Through 13 games played, Latu has 25 tackles (14 solo), five tackles for loss, four sacks (with two strip sacks), three forced fumbles, 33 pressures and 12 quarterback hits. Latu's 33 pressures are second on the team behind defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (35), and his four sacks are tied for second on the team with Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grover Stewart, behind Buckner and defensive end Kwity Paye (each with six). Latu's two strip sacks are tied for first among rookie defensive ends this season.
But the numbers don't always show everything about a player, and they certainly don't with Latu – and statistics aren't what Latu, his coaches or his teammates are focused on.
"I'm just happy to see him continue to progress and increase his pressure on the quarterback," defensive line coach Charlie Partridge said of Latu. "And he's getting better against the run, and that's kind of our goal, is just get a little bit better each week. And he is, he is showing an impact and that's what we're looking for."
Buckner called Latu a "sponge" for his receptiveness to advice and ability to absorb all of the knowledge he can, and Steichen has consistently recognized the rookie's "relentless motor" throughout the season. They, along with the rest of the team, have been firsthand witnesses to how Latu's game has grown.
"He's always had the pass skillset – the pass rush skill set that we're looking for," defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. "I think where he's evolved is in the run game. It was never bad, but I just see him more stout at the point, getting off blocks, making plays in the run game. So, he's becoming more established there."
"He's learning different ways to affect and change the game, which I think is great for our defense," Franklin said.
One thing about Latu hasn't changed, though: his mentality. It doesn't have to.
"He's got a tough mindset, and that's been on display since he's been here, in terms of coming in and being the same guy every day, and that's hard to do," Partridge said. "You don't ever see him get down, (see) him get tired. I really thought by now that you'd see that rookie wall, and I have not really seen that. If anything, I'm seeing him continue to ascend."
So, when Latu puts on his uniform to take on the Broncos this Sunday for, technically, the second time this year, he won't be the same player he was back in August. But he'll be the same person.
