In the 2020 collegiate football preseason, Jesuit High School Sacramento alumnus Laiatu Latu ’19 suffered a neck injury during practice. He was told he would never play again, and the University of Washington (UW) announced his retirement.

Latu wouldn’t accept this and consulted other doctors. After a neck surgery, a doctor cleared him to play, but the UW staff didn’t clear him. These obstacles, however, couldn’t stop the defensive end from getting back on the field. 

Latu transferred to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in January 2022. He then went on to have two historically significant college football seasons In his first year at UCLA, Latu had 36 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

This season, his second at UCLA, Latu recorded 49 tackles, 13 sacks, and 21.5 tackles for loss. He led the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) in tackles for loss, and he was fourth in the nation in sacks. 

Latu’s accolades include being named to the First-Team All PAC-12 conference, the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year, making the All-American team, winning the Polynesian Defensive Player of the Year award, the Ted Hendricks award, and the Lombardi award. 

Joining Jesuit’s varsity team as a sophomore, Latu had an amazing highschool career, culminating in being named a four star recruit as a senior. 

“Latu is one of the most talented players I have ever coached in my life,” said Jesuit Varsity Football Coach Sean Morris. “I was very fortunate to have coached [him] since he was a 10th grader at Jesuit. He was eager to learn and had tremendous talent. He became a student of the game and dedicated [himself] to getting better every week.”

Latu credits Jesuit for playing an important role in helping him succeed at the collegiate level.

“[Jesuit] played a big role, especially with the college prep, getting me ready for college, making that transition a whole lot easier,” Latu said. “The sports here are high caliber too. [They] definitely got me ready for workouts and training.”

After his supposed career ending injury in Washington, Latu fought his way back like a true Marauder. 

“Really, it was just not giving up,” Latu said. “That’s pretty much what it was. Doing everything like it’s your last opportunity, but basically not giving up on the journey that you’ve had since [you were] a kid.” 

Never giving up led Latu to win the Lombardi Award, which is given to the best lineman or linebacker in college football. The winner embodies the characteristics of legendary player and coach Vince Lombardi: leadership, courage, discipline, and respect. 

“[Latu] is a caring, loving human being off the field and a warrior on the field,” said Jesuit Head Varsity Football Coach Marlon Blanton. “[His work ethic is] off the chart, he understands exactly what he has to do.”

Lombardi nominees serve the Houston community with the Rotary Club of Houston, the organization that presents the award. Nominees visit children with cancer, and all proceeds from the Lombardi Gala go to cancer research. 

“It means a lot,” Latu said. “Getting to meet the frontline kids when I was out there, kids that are battling cancer, and really just meeting the whole Lombardi family; it really means a lot.”

Latu was welcomed back to Jesuit on March 8. The Fr. Barry gymnasium was packed with students who flocked to the gym to support the UCLA star. The Jesuit community clearly holds Latu in high regard. 

“Latu’s journey has just begun,” Coach Morris said. “I believe he will make a huge impact on his team and community wherever he goes. Latu is truly a ‘Man for Others.’ His love and character will bring him far in life and I know we are all excited that he allowed us to be on his journey.”