Vikings Host Another Top Defensive Prospect on a Top 30 Visit

Josh Frey |

Apr 9, 2024

Sep 16, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Monday ended up being a very busy day for the Minnesota Vikings.

They hosted six different NFL Draft prospects on top 30 visits, and interestingly, a number of them were prospects from the defensive side of the ball. Well, that theme has continued into Tuesday as the Vikings are set to host another top defensive prospect. That player is UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu.

Vikings Host Another Top Defensive Prospect

Vikings Laiatu Latu — Sep 9, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) battles against San Diego State Aztecs tight end Mark Redman (81) during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Latu’s visit with the Vikings, tweeting, “UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, one of the draft’s best pass rushers, is on a Top 30 visit to the #Vikings today, source said. He was with the #Bears yesterday and already met with the #Broncos, plus he has #AZCardinals tomorrow.”

This means the Vikings have officially met with two of the consensus top three edge rushers in this class after they met with Dallas Turner on Monday. This leaves Jared Verse as the remaining prospect to complete the gauntlet at the position.

Latu is a very different player from Turner at the position. While Turner thrives when he is able to use his elite athleticism and length to create leverage against opposing offensive tackles, Latu is much more technical as a pass rusher. He is a master at using his hands in the trenches with a variety of different countermoves to win and get after quarterbacks while also being a positive run defender.

Sep 9, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) looks on before the game against the San Diego State Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

That being said, Latu does come with some risk. Just a couple years ago, he was forced to medically retire from football because of a neck injury while he was with the Washington Huskies. He sat out of the 2021 season, and it seemed like his football career was over.

However, prior to the 2022 season, Latu decided to transfer to UCLA, and he was back on the field for the Bruins that fall. In two seasons at UCLA, he piled up a ridiculous 34 tackles for loss along with 23.5 sacks over the course of 25 games.

Age could be another factor in how high Latu goes this spring, though. He will turn 24 years old in December and is over two years older than Turner, who just turned 21 in February.

Oct 21, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) after defeating the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless, if the Vikings do not end up trading up for a quarterback, Latu would be a name to keep an eye on because of his NFL-ready pass rushing technique and vast experience at the collegiate level.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.