Kamo’i Latu, SAF, Wisconsin
Size:
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 208 lbs
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“Kamo’i Latu is an energizer bunny, torpedo safety who is most comfortable roaming the middle of the field and triggering downhill to throw shoulders at the ball-carrier.”
Strengths:
Click-and-close
Robber
Effort
Play recognition
Concerns:
Hectic
Tackling
Easy to manipulate
Film Analysis:
Kamo’i Latu started his career as a three-star recruit at Utah, where he saw modest production, only starting in one game before transferring to Wisconsin in 2022. He played under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who made the Wisconsin defense a fearsome opponent. Latu found a home, making 12 starts at safety, racking up 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and three pass breakups. He was an all-around playmaker under Leonhard, who left Wisconsin after the 2022 season. Mike Tressel took over in 2023 and Latu wasn’t the same. He was benched in the second game of the season and was a part-time player, starting in six games last season.
Latu’s energy level and motor run hot whenever he’s on the field. He always wants to make a big hit or trigger on a downhill play. His click-and-close ability is efficient and quick and pairs well with his underneath play recognition skills. He gets downhill quickly and is unafraid to throw his shoulder pads around with offensive linemen or tight ends, sometimes to his detriment. His best attribute is being a middle-of-the-field robber who can keep his eyes on the quarterback and key on throws in zone to make plays. He’s proficient as a two-high safety, showing a good backpedal and turn-and-run ability with easy change-of-direction skills and hip flip. His acceleration gives him a handy tool to close on tight ends and throws to the flat and underneath.
As a safety, there are times when he needs to be trusted as the last line of defense for your team and Latu is a poor tackler. He attacks high and low and doesn’t wrap up, so ball-carriers can bounce off of him for extra yards. He is a jitterbug defender who takes poor angles downhill in the run game and launches himself around the field, missing assignments and allowing the quarterback’s eyes to manipulate him. Latu needs to be more patient as a coverage defender and pay attention to his assignments; he was benched in the second game of the 2023 season against Washington State after getting beat on a double pass for a touchdown, trying to trigger downhill and make the play. Whether he isn’t a fit for Tressel’s defense or his confidence was shot early in the season, he fell far from the all-around playmaking he showcased under Leonhard.
Latu needs to win a starting job at safety for Wisconsin and be a more patient and trustworthy player this season to earn the title of “chess piece” for a defense. There are flashes, but the fundamentals must be better in his fifth college football season.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Daniel Harms
Exposures: LSU (2024), Buffalo (2023), Washington State (2023), Minnesota (2022)
