Tag: kamo’i latu

Wisconsin veteran safety enters NCAA transfer portal

Another Wisconsin defender is in the portal

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

Wisconsin safety Kamo’i Latu entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.

He is the 19th Badger to depart since the portal opened on Monday. 17 of those are scholarship players. The headliners include quarterbacks Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke, and defensive linemen Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr.

Related:ย Tracking Wisconsin footballโ€™s transfer portal offers, interests and top targets

Latu enters the portal after three seasons with the Badgers. He originally transferred to the program back in 2022 after two years at Utah.

The hard-hitting safety’s best season with the Badgers was that 2022 campaign, a tumultuous one with the in-season firing of head coach Paul Chryst. Latu finished it with 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and three pass deflections.

He then played just 14 games over the next two seasons, including only three in an injury-limited 2024.

Latu’s departure emphasizes Wisconsin’s roster need at safety. Hunter Wohler is off to the draft, leaving an open starting spot across from Preston Zachman. It is already an area of focus as Luke Fickell and his staff begin their transfer portal recruiting efforts.

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Badger Countdown: Two seniors set for big seasons wearing number 13

Two Badgers stars in 13 this year

The 2023 college football season is closing in quickly and the Badgers are now just 13 days away from their opener versus Buffalo on Sept. 2. There are two significant players wearing the number 13 in Madison this year.

Wide receiver Chimere Dike will be back for a fourth season in Madison, coming off of a career-best 2022 campaign where he reeled in 47 catches for 689 yards and six touchdowns.

Now operating in Phil Longo’s “Air Raid” offense with SMU-transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai, Dike could be in for a monster season with Wisconsin.

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 08: Kamo’i Latu #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after intercepting a pass from Ryan Hilinski #3 of the Northwestern Wildcats (not pictured) during the first half at Ryan Field on October 08, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

On the other side of the ball, Kamo’i Latu will don the number 13 in his second season with the Badgers after transferring from Utah ahead of last year.

Latu recorded 55 total tackles, including three sacks, while intercepting two passes and deflecting two others over 13 games in his first campaign in Madison.

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Wisconsin football’s Kamo’i Latu named to another watch list

Kamo’i Latu will be one of Wisconsin’s defensive leaders this year

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Thursday that Wisconsin safety Kamo’i Latuย is one of 85 players chosen for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

Latu cemented himself as one of the hardest hitters in the country over the past few years, and made 39 solo tackles last season as well as a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble.

The award is selected annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

The winner of the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 20, 2024) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).

Two Wisconsin Badgers break 21 MPH in latest ‘Need for Speed’ ranking

See where the fastest Badgers fell in head strength and conditioning coach Brady Collins’ latest ‘Need For Speed’ rankings:

On Monday afternoon, Wisconsin football’s head strength and conditioning coach, Brady Collins’,ย  released his third ‘Need for Speed’ ranking of the fastest Badgers’ players from this past week.

Related: Wisconsin’s new running backs coach has high hopes for the group

Several of last year’s starters made Collins’ list, including wide receiver Skyler Bell and safety Kamo’i Latu. Although Latu did not quite hit 21 MPH with a speed of 20.99 MPH, he ranked in the top three this week behind receivers Will Pauling and Keontez Lewis.

Lewis was the fastest player in this week’s list with a blazing-fast speed of 21.7 MPH. This was the highest speed in Collins’ rankings since WR Will Pauling recorded 21.35 MPH last week.ย It should be exciting to see what Lewis can do in his second year with the Badgers after transferring from UCLA last season.

It is great to see the progress that Wisconsin players are making in their first winter conditioning program under Collins and head coach Luke Fickell.

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Wisconsin S Kamoโ€™i Latu wins B1G Defensive Player of the Week

The Utah transfer had two interceptions against Northwestern:

Following a whirlwind week for the Wisconsin football program that led to a 42-7 dismantling of the Northwestern Wildcats, the Big Ten honored a Badgers defender for his standout individual performance.

Safety Kamoโ€™i Latu, a Utah transfer, was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. The 6-foot, 195-pound S registered his first career interception in the first quarter, picking off Ryan Hillinksi and picked up another INT in the third.

Latu is the first Badgers defensive player to record a pair of interceptions in the same game since The Grit Factory CEO Collin Wilder did it against Nebraska last November.

The Hawaii native also registered three solo tackles and picked up an elite grade (91.5), according to PFF, which was the highest among Wisconsin defenders.

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PHOTOS: Wisconsin dominates Northwestern 42-7 under HC Jim Leonhard

Some of the best photos from Wisconsin’s 42-7 blowout victory over the Northwestern Wildcats:

The Wisconsin Badgers dominated the Northwestern Wildcats in a 42-7 road victory on Saturday afternoon. The Badgers were led by interim head coach Jim Leonhard after the firing of Paul Chryst last week.

The Wisconsin offense had its best performance of the season because of a career day from junior wide receiver Chimere Dike. He finished the day with 185 receiving yards and three touchdowns on only 10 receptions. His quarterback, Graham Mertz, has a great game as well finishing 20-29 for 299 passing yards and five touchdowns

Their offensive performance was complemented by a dominant defensive effort. Leonhards’ defense racked up three turnovers on the day and limited the Wildcats to 3-13 on third down.

The Badgers will continue their road trip next weekend against the Michigan State Spartans:

Below are some of the best photos from Wisconsin’s 42-7 blowout victory over the Northwestern Wildcats:

Social media reacts to Wisconsin WR Chimere Dike’s 52-yard TD catch

Some of the best social media reactions to Wisconsin WR Chimere Dike’s 52-yard catch and run for a touchdown:

The Wisconsin Badgers have moved the ball exceptionally well so far in their matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats, and they were able to score on their second drive after being pinned at their own 2-yard line.

Related: Big Ten football and big game expert predictions and picks for Week 6

Following an outstanding interception by Badgers’ safety Kamo’i Latu, Wisconsin’s offense took advantage on their third drive with a spectacular 52-yard catch and run for a touchdown from wide receiver Chimere Dike. The junior wideout has been outstanding in the first half with six receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns.

The Badgers have been able to impose their will on the Wildcats so far, up 21-0 in the second quarter, under the direction of interim head coach Jim Leonhard.

Here are some of the best social media reactions to Wisconsin WR Chimere Dike’s 52-yard catch and run for a touchdown:

Badgers PFF grades: Top 5 defensive players from Week 5 loss to Illinois

Here’s a look at the top 5 highest graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s home loss to Illinois, according to Pro Football Focus:

Madison, Wis. โ€“ย Head coach Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten), who needed a bounce-back performance, lost their second straight contest embarrassingly on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.ย 

Wisconsin’s defense allowed an efficient 307 yards of offense to the Illini (167 passing, 137 rushing), failing to make life difficult for Tommy Devito and the nations leading rusher, Chase Brown.ย 

Jim Leonhard’s young defense is a far cry from UW’s defenses of recent years. They’ve continued to make the same mistakes we’ve seen up to all season: poor tackling, getting pushed around in the trenches, and failure to create pressure of any kind.

The defense registered only four pressures all day long, all of which came from Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton, who had two apiece.ย 

It’s hard to take away many positives from this one.

Here’s a look at the five highest-graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s loss to Illinois, according to Pro Football Focus.

Badgers PFF grades: Top 5 defensive players from week 1 victory over Illinois State

Here’s a look at the top 5 highest graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s 38-0 victory over Illinois State, according to Pro Football Focus:

The No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) kicked off its season opener at Camp Randall on Saturday night with a 38-0 victory over the visiting Illinois State Redbirds.

Jim Leonhard’s defense was able to hang a goose egg to begin the season, but the underlying numbers showed a slightly less dominating performance. Wisconsin gave up 243 total yards, 186 of which came through the air but made several timely plays that changed the course of the game.

UW played without its No. 1 cornerback Alexander Smith, but the secondary appeared to struggle with the Redbirds passing attack, giving up several chunk plays.

Senior safety John Torchio stole the show with his 100-yard pick-six in the first quarter, and outside linebacker Nick Herbig looked like a guy who will be playing on Sundays next season, registering four tackles and two sacks.

Overall, it was a solid showing for a defense replacing eight starters from last season’s top-ranked unit in the country.

Here’s a look at the top 5 highest graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s 38-0 victory over Illinois State, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wisconsin lands Utah transfer safety Kamo’i Latu

Wisconsin adds some much needed safety depth in the transfer portal:

Wisconsin finished spring football in desperate need of depth at safety following an injury to Travion Blaylock. Thankfully, it would appear they have found their answer via the transfer portal.ย 

Following an official visit to Madison, the Badgers received a commitment on Friday from Utah transfer safety Kamoโ€™i Latu.ย 

The 6-foot, 195-pound safety appeared in 14 games last season as a redshirt freshman, registering 19 tackles and three pass deflections.ย 

Rated as a three-star safety in the 2020 recruiting class, Latu initially committed to Utah over offers from Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon State, USC, Virginia, Washington and Washington State, and a host of others.ย 

Latu will be well positioned to compete for a spot in the two deep this fall, and has three years of eligibility remaining for the Badgers.

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