USC football recruiting: DE Laiatu Latu commits to Washington

Four-star defensive end Laiatu Latu announced his commitment to Washington over USC football on Tuesday, handing the Trojans a recruiting blow to a Pac-12 foe.

Laiatu Latu was supposed to announce his college decision on New Year’s Eve, but plans changed for the four-star defensive end. Unfortunately for USC football, the change of plans was not in the Trojans’ favor, who missed out on the commitment.

The four-star prospect committed to Washington on Tuesday with a tweet, picking the Huskies over USC and UCLA.

The Trojans were considered favorites for Latu going into the weekend. However, an official visit to Washington made a huge impression on the Jesuit High School product.

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Standing 6-foot-5, 237 pounds, Latu would have been a big pick up for the Trojans. As the 133rd prospect nationally and the 21st from California in the 247Sports composite, he would have ranked second among all of USC’s current commits. As the No. 6 weakside defensive end in the class, he could have bolstered the Trojans greatly on the edge.

As it stands now, USC will have to make due without Latu.

The current recruiting class of 2019 does not boast any outside linebacker prospects, but the likes of JUCO transfer Datona Jackson and Centennial teammates Drake Jackson and Tuasivi Nomura could change that by choosing the Trojans down the line. Both Jacksons are expected to make his decision on Early Signing Day on Wednesday.

The good news is the Trojans have done well to recruit the outside linebacker positions in recent years.

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In the last cycle, USC added Kana’i Mauga and Eli’jah Winston. The former was an immediate contributor as part of the rotation while the latter took a redshirt while contributing slightly on special teams. The Trojans will welcome back Hunter Echols and Juliano Falaniko from the class of 2017. Meanwhile, Oluwole Betiku and Connor Murphy both took a redshirt in 2018 and could still breakout as late bloomers in their final couple of years as Trojans.