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- The Daily Stump 4/25/24
The Daily Stump 4/25/24
Draft Day!!! Knicks and Nugs look to go up 3-0, and a Stump Hero wins NBA Award!
Stomping Ground Sports
April 25, 2024
DRAFT DAY! We’re mid-first round of NBA and NHL playoffs yet the biggest sport today is Football! Gotta love it! Stacked QB and WR class this year (or so they say) so it’ll be interesting to see who takes their QB or playmaker of the future! Yesterday we called the 8, 1 upset, today what should we predict? Maybe a trade within the top 5? That would be cool!
LETS. GET. INTO. IT.
THE DAILY STUMPED🔮
Which defensive player was NOT the #1 pick in the NFL Draft?Since 2000, only FIVE defensive players have been the #1 pick! |
ON THIS DAY 🗓️
On this day in NFL History:
#1 Overall Picks!
1993: The New England Patriots select… Drew Bledsoe (QB - Washington State)
2009: The Detroit Lions select… Matthew Stafford (QB - Georgia)
2013: The Kansas City Chiefs select… Eric Fisher (OT - Central Michigan)
2019: The Arizona Cardinals select… Kyler Murray (QB - Oklahoma)
STUMP STORY OF THE DAY✍️
Laiatu Latu (UCLA - DE)
From Medically Retired to Best-In-Class
The NFL Draft brings with it a wide variety of storylines, hot debates, and people living and dying by every word. For prospects, it’s a time to quiet their doubters and prove their toughness and resilience. For Laiatu Latu, it’s an opportunity to show what hard-work can do.
Latu started his collegiate career at the University of Washington, spending his first two years working on the defensive line for the Huskies. During a spring practice following his sophomore year, Latu suffered a neck injury. His football career was in jeopardy, and he was told to medically retire from the game.
He was determined to prove the medical diagnosis wrong. Latu spent every day following his injury rehabbing and trying to get back on the field. In 2022, he was medically cleared by his medical team. He entered the transfer portal and found his new home at UCLA. He was an impact player from the jump.
One thing that really stood out about Latu was his perspective. During his time away from the game, Latu grew a unique love and appreciation for the game. He jumped right into film study and watched hours of film on some of the best at his position in the NFL.
Latu gained inspiration from another former UCLA Bruin and current Miami Dolphin, Jaelen Phillips, who at one point in his career was also medically retired. Phillips left UCLA for Miami U and became one of the premier draft prospects at his position. He was the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
He met his 2023 expectations by producing 13 sacks, an All-American nod, PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and the Lombardi Trophy (outstanding college lineman) and Ted Hendricks Trophy (best defensive end).
As far as where Latu will go in the first round of the NFL Draft? There are a few different theories. Latu may be the first defensive player taken in the Draft, he may also fall to the end of the first round. NFL teams are split about his medical history and are often hesitant to take players with extensive injury bills. I personally have the Falcons getting Latu at No. 11 following a trade back from No. 8.
No matter where he goes, this NFL prospect has EARNED his selection in the first round. Latu is one of those guys you just root for, and I’ll be excited to hear his name get called tonight.
🎙️SONG OF THE DAY
Missed Calls - Mac Miller
OG Mac Miller. If you haven’t listened to this album but you like his other stuff, I HIGHLY recommend giving this one a listen, it’s some of his better work. This song is also just a good vibe. We’re trying to EXPAND the music taste of the audience!
Link to enjoy: LINK