INDIANAPOLIS – Laiatu Latu gave everyone a peek at what makes him tick, and perhaps revealed one of the intangible traits that contributed to the Indianapolis Colts making him the first defensive player selected in the April draft.
It was during his introductory press conference at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center and easily could have been lost amid the polite laughter that followed Latu’s response to an otherwise innocuous question.
What are some of your interests outside of football?
“None,’’ he said with a sheepish smile. “It’s crazy.’’
At this point in Latu’s athletic life, it’s not crazy at all, but might have been a bit of an exaggeration.
After signing his four-year, fully-guaranteed $17 million rookie contract in mid-May, Latu spent the bulk of his time at his new home-away-from home on West 56thStreet either in meetings, on the practice field, getting treatment or lounging in the locker room, bonding with his teammates.
“When I get to the hotel,’’ he said, “it’s probably a little late so I probably just go to sleep.
“I haven’t done too much out here.’’
Latu occasionally found a diversion from his new Football Life.
He attended a Pacers game.
He attended a Fevers game.
And . . .
“I think that’s about it,’’ Latu said last week as the Colts’ offseason work was winding down.
“I love it.’’
Of course, there was the normal rookie orientation, the cost of which is determined by the rookie’s draft status.
“Shoot,’’ Latu said, “I’ll just say I spent 1k on snacks.’’
By the way, get used to Latu’s colloquialisms. Shoot is at the top of the list. Think of Philip Rivers sprinkling his comments with Gol-ly, Dadgummit or, that’s right, Shoot.
But back to what makes Laiatu Latu tick.
Even though players went their separate ways last Thursday with the conclusion of the three-day mandatory minicamp, his path forward already had been plotted.
It’s replete with more football.
“I don’t plan to take the foot off the pedal,’’ Latu said. “I mean, I’ve already got my whole schedule built out for when I touch down in Cali: working my pass rush, working out, doing a bunch of body work, taking care of that.
“Just trying to be the best I can come training camp.’’
Players reconvene in late July at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield for the start of camp and rest assured, Latu will be as ready as possible for when the pads come on and competition amps up to the next level.
He apparently plans on working in the coming weeks with Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo, Samson Ebukam and others.
“To better myself,’’ Latu said, “so that we can flow on the field.’’
It’s impossible to gauge the type of progress the 15th overall pick in the draft experienced through the Colts’ nine-week offseason program. For much of the on-field work, Paye and Ebukam worked as the starting ends with Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis getting the backup reps.
But Latu’s motor always was engaged whenever he was tossed into the mix.
“He’s been really good,’’ coordinator Gus Bradley said. “I mean, I think the one thing we noticed in the draft process was he’s pretty polished. I mean, his skillset and what he can do, his athleticism.
“So, some of the things that we saw on college tape we’re seeing out here. Right now, he’s learning it and kind of getting a feel for Charlie (Partridge, defensive line coach) and being coached by him.’’
After several practices, Latu was among the last to leave the field. One day, he spent time at the far end of the practice field working on his moves with the goalpost serving as a blocker. A powerful swim maneuver, a jab-step followed by a sharp cut inside.
It was on one of those occasions the magnitude of everything seemed to hit Latu.
He had been a Colt for more than a month, but it finally sank in as he was walking off the field and the Indianapolis Colts signage on the side of the indoor practice facility caught his attention.
“It didn’t hit me draft night. It didn’t hit me the night after. It didn’t hit me when I got here,’’ Latu said. “It hit me literally after extra work, walking back in. And it hit me as I was staring at the sign.
“I had to just sit down and take it all in. Got a little teary-eyed.’’
The pass rusher who was told by the medical/coaching staff at the University of Washington he could no longer play for them because of a neck issue but was given another opportunity by UCLA had finally made it.
“That’s when it hit me,’’ Latu said. “It’s crazy how late it hit me. In that moment it was like, ‘I made it here through all the trials and tribulations that I went through in my life.’
“I can say I made it, but I’m still going to carry on and make myself a better person and a better player and try to take this organization far.’’
The Colts have been looking for that Alpha edge rusher for quite some time. Prior to the draft, general manager Chris Ballard made a strong push for Danielle Hunter, who spurned his overtures and accepted a two-year, $48 million contract with AFC South rival Houston.
In the 2021 draft, Ballard invested his first-round pick (21st overall) on Paye and second rounder (54th overall) on Odeyingbo. The Colts ensured Paye would be a part of their d-line room through 2025 by picking up his fifth-year option at $13.4 million.
Latu must be the long-term answer. The last time the Colts drafted a pass rusher this early: Dwight Freeney, with the 11th overall pick in 2002.
“He’s a natural rusher,’’ Ballard said. “Any time you can rush the passer – you got a guy that can rush the passer – you got a chance to be a difference maker.’’
The Colts expect Latu to make an immediate impact even though he isn’t likely to start. In 2002, they took a patient approach with Freeney, who didn’t make his first start until a week 9 trip to Philadelphia. He finished with a club-record 13 sacks and an NFL-high 20 tackles for loss.
Latu realizes there’s only one path to continued success and productivity.
He’s been a sponge whenever possible.
“Taking it from dudes like DeForest Buckner, Grove (Grover Stewart), coach Charlie, Sosa (Ebukam), Kwity,’’ Latu said. “I mean, everyone in that d-line room is someone I can look up to and build off of.’’
He’s discovering his pass-rush arsenal must continue to evolve. Moves that led to 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss at UCLA might not be as effective at the next level.
“Everybody is talented,’’ Latu said of the NFL. “You have dudes that are definitely different than a lot of human beings out there.’’
So, he’ll keep his head down and work.
Obviously, Latu’s West Coast regimen has built-in rest-and-recovery phases.
“. . . later in the day Saturday and Sunday, those are probably rest days,’’ he said.
“But I’m gonna be on it, just trying to be the best I can.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.