The first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, UCLA's Laiatu Latu joins a Colts' defensive line that is coming off of a historic season.
"I wasn't even expecting to get picked up by the Colts honestly," Latu said. "I didn't talk to them my whole pre-draft. Then that phone call came from Indianapolis and I was just like, 'Dang' because my agent told me not to worry about the next couple of picks and then I get the phone and I'm a Colt."
However, during the draft process, he'd coincidentally made a connection with Colts' defensive end, Kwity Paye, while working with well-renowned defensive line coach, Eddy McGilvra.
"I've been able to train with him (Kwity Paye) and Coach Eddy and just learn a lot from him and take after him," Latu said. "Yesterday, I had asked about his vitamin supplement plan. So, he put me on that.
"I just can't wait to get in the building. I look up to a lot of those dudes and I want to show him what I can do as well."
Though the two had developed a bond over the few months, Latu said it'd never crossed his mind that they could possibly play with one another.
"Just being able to know that he's over there and I know him and just the comfortability, it's a big piece for me," Latu said. "Being able to pick up little tips and tendencies from him, how the program works and how everything goes - I think that's a real big upside for me."
Latu will get his chance soon after the Colts drafted him with their No. 15 pick.
Having told reporters at the Senior Bowl that his goal was to be the first edge rusher off the board, being the first defensive player taken made Latu even more excited to get to work.
"It means the world to me," Latu said. "I just can't wait to get in the building and just prove that."
Check out photos of Colts draft pick Laiatu Latu at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.
UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu walks on stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses with fans after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses with fans after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (Jeff Lewis/AP Images for the NFL)
UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu arrives at the 2024 NFL football draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Lewis/AP Images for the NFL)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu puts on a hat after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu puts on a hat after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu walks on stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses with fans after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (Jeff Lewis/AP Images for the NFL)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu poses with fans after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu puts on a hat after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu walks out after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (Adam Hunger/AP Images for the NFL)
Latu's college career began in 2019 when he played for the University of Washington.
However, a neck fusion surgery in 2020 nearly ended his career because Washington's doctors wouldn't clear him to play.
"It was COVID and it was just a funky time," Latu said. "It just wasn't handled in the right way. I didn't have any physical examinations with any doctors at that time. So, it was really just an opinion of somebody's without even looking at my physical (or) without giving me tests and stuff like that. So I mean, I feel like they were just doing what they felt best, but at the same time, I feel like it wasn't really handled in the best way."
Latu missed the 2020 and 2021 seasons before transferring to UCLA in 2022.
In his two seasons with the Bruins, he made an instant impact notching 85 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles.
He gained national attention in 2023 when he led the nation in tackles for loss (22) and led the Pac-12 in sacks (13). His production earned him All-American honors and the distinction of being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
"That whole time, I really just grinded to prove to all those people who told me I wouldn't play again, that I can do it again," Latu said. "I know myself, I trusted myself and I trust in the Lord and I know he got a plan for me."
Though Latu had impressed teams with his on-field production questions he still had to answer questions about his injury history during the pre-draft process.
"Throughout this whole time period, it's just a bunch of poking and prodding at the medicals and stuff like that," Latu said. "A lot of teams knew my character and stuff like that, but I mean the medicals - they just had to make sure they ticked off."
Latu joins a Colts' defensive line that accounted for 46 of the team's 51 sacks in 2023, which set a new Indianapolis-era franchise record.
The Colts bolstered their defensive line on Thursday night with a menacing pass rusher and run defender, selecting UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) watches the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. UCLA won 50-36. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Troy defensive lineman Javon Solomon talks to UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) sacks Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Water runs off the head of UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu, left, sacks Colorado quarterback Owen McCown in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
California quarterback Chase Garbers, center, is sacked by Washington linebackers Brandon Wellington, left, and Laiatu Latu (56), during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) battles with Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu stands on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu stands on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) runs during an NCAA football game against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
National edge Laiatu Latu of UCLA runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
National edge Laiatu Latu of Ucla runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) sacks Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
National edge Laiatu Latu of UCLA runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. Latu is a hot NFL draft prospect two years after resuming his football career. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Oregon State Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 36-24. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) and linebacker Darius Muasau (53) celebrate after a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California in Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) runs during an NCAA football game against Washington State on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Chase Garbers, center, is sacked by Washington linebacker Laiatu Latu, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FILE - UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. For the final time in its current arrangement, the Morris Trophy winners were honored Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 — the end to another small chapter of the Pac-12 legacy that crumbled under the weight of conference realignment. The honorees were Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and UCLA's Latu.(AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) defends against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) watches the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. UCLA won 50-36. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
California running back Jaydn Ott (6) runs against UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, right, shakes a tackle by UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
FILE - Alabama State quarterback Myles Crawley (7) loses possession of the ball as he is tackled by UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. UCLA opens their season at home against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) gets doubled-teamed by Arizona State wide receiver Shawn Charles (81) and Arizona State running back Bryce Douglass (29) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. UCLA won 50-36. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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