— Laiatu Latu, a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, is taking big steps in his second NFL season. With 11 hurries already this season, Latu is showing an expanded effect on opposing quarterbacks. That’s a significant improvement from his first year in the league, when he had a difficult time turning potential big plays into real production.
During his first season, Latu was often a step late. Most people saw his performance as a great example of “almosts.” The Colts saw the potential, and they wouldn’t take no for an answer — they knew his talents were still buried and needed to be unearthed. Now, as we move into the 2025 season, Latu’s impact on the field increases markedly. All of a sudden, opponents are forced to take him seriously.
On Sunday, Latu showcased his freakish athleticism by chasing down Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford deep in SoFi Stadium. This amazing play was his first sack of 2018. He uncorked a nasty little bull rush and sent Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson back into the pocket. With an intense determination, he delivered on the most critical of plays.
Latu has put together an impressive performance on and off the field. He added his newfound playing strength after an offseason program aimed at improving his upper-body strength. The defensive end noted, “I definitely feel a lot stronger this year,” highlighting the results of his hard work.
The 2025 season has been a huge period for Latu, who has further developed his pass rushing plan. He conceded that his strategy this year often comes down to just getting blockers off-balance, or straight-up going after them. “Trying to get [blockers] off-balance or, really, just taking it to them has helped me a lot,” Latu explained. This change has really improved his all-around game and helped him prevent quarterbacks from escaping his edge rush.
It’s been really impressive to see.” DeForest Buckner, Latu’s teammate and fellow defensive lineman.”Last year, he [went] straight to his finesse moves and everything, and he didn’t really incorporate a lot of power in there,” Buckner said. He mentioned that Latu has started to add power to his game with more frequency this season. He’s been doing that a lot more this year, and guys have been respecting it a little bit more, which opens up his finesse game. So, it’s been very encouraging to see.
Opposing defenses will put a circle around Latu after he has been on a tear over the last three games. They’re chipping him more with chip blocks from running backs and tight ends to attempt to mitigate his carnage. This tactical adjustment emphasizes Latu’s all around rising star appeal as a dangerous pass rusher.
The Colts are hoping to see Latu emerging as a major player on their defensive front. His first few games of the 2021 season show that he is finally beginning to deliver on that potential. He concluded the 2024 campaign with four sacks. The pressure to perform adds up. As he grows older, the expectations for what Wendell Carter Jr. should produce continue to rise.
Reflecting on the importance of adapting to offensive strategies, Latu stated, “Quarterbacks are good enough to know, ‘Oh, they might beat us on the edge, let me step up, turn my shoulder.’” His understanding of the game allows him to anticipate opponents’ moves and capitalize on any openings.
Latu is working on his fundamentals and improving on his strengths each day. He’s starting to prove himself to be a player that teammates and opponents alike need to deal with on the field. It’s his ability to mix finesse in with this newly discovered power, and it’s changing how offensive lines have to game plan against him.
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