The Washington Huskies have found some much-needed depth in the transfer portal, as former Nevada Wolfpack tight end Keleki Latu announced his commitment to Washington on Sunday night.
The younger brother of former Husky edge rusher and the No. 15 overall pick in the NFL draft, Laiatu Latu, Keleki brings the experience and production tight ends coach Jordan Paopao is looking for. He began his career at California, where he tallied 22 catches for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns before transferring to Nevada before the 2023 season.
With the Wolfpack, the 6-foot-7, 237-pound tight end pulled in 14 receptions for 179 yards over the team’s first six games before he suffered an injury that cut his season short. Latu has two years of eligibility remaining and should be asked to step into an important role in coach Jedd Fisch’s offense.
He should step in behind presumed starter Quentin Moore and provide a safety valve option as a pass catcher and an imposing presence as a run blocker. Latu’s addition signals that the coaching staff won’t have to rely as heavily on true freshman Decker DeGraaf, who showed a lot of growth during spring practice but still has a lot of developing to do, like all young tight ends.
His commitment also means that the coaching staff is moving closer to 85 scholarships for the 2024 season, as Latu makes 77. Over the coming weeks, the Huskies should continue to add more bodies from the transfer portal, and should mainly see those additions along the offensive and defensive lines.
It’s all about the W☔️🐺#BeAPro pic.twitter.com/7jEUL43mAL
— Keleki Latu (@KelekiL) May 6, 2024