If there was any question about what the Indianapolis Colts expect from Laiatu Latu in his third NFL season, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo just erased it with one emphatic statement. Speaking with reporters this week, Anarumo expressed unwavering confidence in the young edge rusher, declaring there is "no doubt" Latu will reach double-digit sacks in the 2026 campaign.
That kind of bold, on-the-record prediction from a veteran defensive mind like Anarumo is rare. It signals not only the coaching staff's belief in Latu's development, but also the urgency surrounding a Colts defense that finished 31st in the league in passing yards allowed last season. Indianapolis knows it cannot take a meaningful step forward without generating consistent, game-changing pressure off the edge -- and Anarumo is betting his defensive identity on Latu being the man to deliver it.
A Fresh Start Under Lou Anarumo
Let's put this in proper context. Anarumo arrived in Indianapolis this offseason following a successful tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he built a reputation for devising creative pressures and getting the most out of his pass rushers. The Colts' defensive performance in 2025 was unacceptable by any standard. Ranking near the bottom of the league against the pass exposed weaknesses across the secondary and, more fundamentally, an inability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks without relying on extra blitzers.
Anarumo's philosophy has always started up front. He believes in winning with four-man rushes, and for that to work, you need edge defenders who can consistently win one-on-one battles. That is where Latu enters the picture.
The former UCLA standout and first-round pick (15th overall in 2024) has shown flashes of elite bend, hand-fighting, and closing burst during his first two seasons. His rookie year saw him notch 6.5 sacks while learning on the job. Last season, that number increased to 8.5, along with a noticeable rise in pressures and quarterback hits. But 2026 represents the inflection point: the season where a young pass rusher either ascends into the tier of Pro Bowl-level disruptors or remains a complementary piece.
Anarumo is clearly betting on the former.
Why 10 Sacks Is Both Achievable and Necessary
It is important to note that 10 sacks is not an unattainable milestone in today's NFL. Sixteen different players reached at least 10 sacks in the 2025 season. For a player of Latu's talent level and with the volume of snaps he is projected to see under Anarumo's scheme, the number is well within reach.
Here is why this prediction carries weight:
First, Anarumo has a track record of manufacturing pressure through scheme while also empowering his edge rushers to freelance when they sense weakness. In Cincinnati, he helped Trey Hendrickson post consecutive double-digit sack seasons by aligning him in different gaps, varying his get-off timing, and letting him attack the outside shoulder of tackles with confidence. Latu appears to be the primary beneficiary of that same approach in Indianapolis.
Second, the Colts' defensive interior remains strong with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart commanding double teams. Buckner, even as he enters the later stages of his career, still demands attention from interior offensive linemen. That means Latu should see plenty of one-on-one opportunities on the outside, especially on obvious passing downs. When a defensive tackle collapses the pocket from the inside, the edge rusher's job becomes significantly easier.
Third, the Colts' secondary should be improved with the additions of Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward at cornerback. Those two cover men allow Anarumo to play more man coverage, which in turn gives the pass rush an extra beat to reach the quarterback. Coverage and pressure are symbiotic. When quarterbacks have nowhere to throw quickly, sack numbers rise for everyone up front.
The Roster Around Latu
Looking at the current defensive line room, the Colts have assembled a group that should allow Latu to thrive. Arden Key and Micheal Clemons provide veteran depth and rotational pop, while JT Tuimoloau offers another young body with upside. Anarumo can mix and match to keep everyone fresh, but there is no question that Latu is the alpha of this edge group.
The coaching staff has also made subtle adjustments to the pass-rush curriculum this offseason, emphasizing get-off drills, counter moves, and finishing techniques. Latu has been a fixture at the facility, often staying late with the defensive line coach to refine his inside spin move and long-arm stab -- two weapons he will need against NFL tackles who have now seen two years of his film.
It is worth noting that Anarumo did not hedge his bet. He did not say "potentially" or "if everything goes right." He said "no doubt." That kind of public confidence raises the bar, but it also signals to the locker room that this defense expects to be led by its pass rush.
What This Means for the Colts' 2026 Outlook
Indianapolis enters the 2026 season with a roster that has talent on both sides of the ball but significant questions at quarterback and in secondary depth. However, a dominant pass rusher can mask a multitude of flaws. If Latu does indeed break through for 10 or more sacks, the entire defense morphs into a different unit. Offensive coordinators game-planning against the Colts would have to account for No. 97 on every snap, sliding protection his way and opening up opportunities for blitzes and stunts elsewhere.
From a playoff perspective, the Colts are competing in an AFC South that remains winnable. Houston is talented but inconsistent. Jacksonville is rebuilding under a new staff. Tennessee is still searching for offensive identity. A pass rush that can consistently harass opposing quarterbacks could be the difference between a 9-8 season and an 11-6 campaign that secures a playoff berth.
Final Thoughts
Predictions in May are easy to make and easy to forget by December. But when a defensive coordinator of Lou Anarumo's stature goes on the record with this level of certainty about a specific player, it is worth paying attention. He sees something in Latu's game -- the power, the flexibility, the football IQ -- that suggests a major leap is coming.
Latu has the tools. He has the opportunity. And now, he has a coordinator who believes in him unconditionally. The only thing left is to go out and prove Anarumo right.
If the Colts are going to climb out of the bottom of the league in pass defense, it will start with No. 97 turning the corner and meeting the quarterback in the backfield. Ten sacks is the goal. Based on what we have seen and what Anarumo is saying, it feels like more than just offseason optimism.
It feels like a promise.