Connect with us

Indianapolis, IN

Colts sign 2024 NFL Draft picks Laiatu Latu, Jaylon Carlies, Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham, Jonah Laulu

Published

on

Colts sign 2024 NFL Draft picks Laiatu Latu, Jaylon Carlies, Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham, Jonah Laulu


Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts today signed five of their draft picks from the 2024 NFL Draft, including defensive end Laiatu Latu, linebacker Jaylon Carlies, cornerback Jaylin Simpson, cornerback Micah Abraham and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu.

Latu, 6-5, 259 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the first round (15th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in 37 career games (12 starts) at UCLA (2022-23) and Washington (2019-21) and totaled 101 tackles (62 solo), 35.5 tackles for loss, 24.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six passes defensed and two interceptions. In 2023, Latu started all 12 games and collected 49 tackles (28 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, four passes defensed and two interceptions. He led the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and ranked fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.08). Latu garnered numerous honors in 2023, and won the Lombardi Award, Ted Hendricks Award winner and the Polynesian Award winner. He was a finalist for the Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. His name is pronounced lie‐AW‐too LAW‐too.

Carlies, 6-3, 227 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He appeared in 48 career games (40 starts) at Missouri (2020-23) and totaled 221 tackles (159 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 17 passes defensed, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In 2023, Carlies started all 12 games he played in and compiled 64 tackles (38 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, six passes defensed, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His last name is pronounced KARR-lyze.

Simpson, 6-0, 179 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the fifth round (164th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in 47 career games (23 starts) at Auburn (2019-23) and totaled 116 tackles (89 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 21 passes defensed and seven interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). In 2023, Simpson saw action in 12 games (11 starts) and finished with 39 tackles (29 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and one fumble recovery. He garnered Second Team All-SEC honors.

Advertisement

Abraham, 5-10, 185 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the sixth round (201st overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He saw action in 62 career games (46 starts) at Marshall (2019-23) and totaled 150 tackles (97 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, 55 passes defensed, 12 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal. In 2023, Abraham started all 13 games he saw action in and recorded 36 tackles (22 solo), 19 passes defensed, four interceptions and one blocked field goal. He led the conference in interceptions and passes defensed. Abraham was a two-time First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection (2022-23). He earned Second Team All-Conference USA accolades in 2021.

Laulu, 6-5, 292 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the seventh round (234th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He appeared in 66 career games (24 starts) at Oklahoma (2022-23) and Hawaii (2018-21) and totaled 102 tackles (52 solo), 27.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In 2023, Laulu played in all 13 games (three starts) and registered 11 tackles (four solo), 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. He was an Academic All-Big 12 honoree. Laulu garnered All-Mountain West honorable mention recognition in 2021. His last name is pronounced lah-OO-loo.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Indianapolis, IN

Clouds decrease Sunday, warmer air is on the way

Published

on

Clouds decrease Sunday, warmer air is on the way


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Central Indiana is still dealing with the lingering impacts of our storm system Saturday. Warmer air is on the way after Sunday with rain chances on the horizon.

TODAY: Areas of patchy fog and light sprinkles waking up. Clouds decrease this afternoon to partly sunny. A very isolated downpour is possible this afternoon but the majority remain dry. High temperatures in the upper 70s.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear skies to start off the night with some fog developing in the early morning. Low temperatures in the low 60s.

TOMORROW: Areas of fog may linger through parts of the morning. Partly sunny skies are expected for the afternoon as temperatures get much warmer with a light south wind in place. High temperatures in the mid-80s.

8-DAY FORECAST: Ahead of a cold front, rain will be likely late Tuesday into Wednesday. Right now, Indiana is not in a severe risk for either of those days. Temperatures continue to peak in the 80s until this front passes by. Sunshine and dry weather will return to close out the work week.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Indianapolis, IN

Colts: A Historical Season Predicted for Anthony Richardson

Published

on

Colts: A Historical Season Predicted for Anthony Richardson


Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has a big sophomore year ahead of him. After suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5 of 2023, Richardson has made a full recovery and expects to start under center when the 2024 NFL season kicks off.

In a shortened rookie season, Richardson posted seven total touchdowns (3 passing, 4 rushing) and 713 total yards. Colts fans caught only a glimpse of the 22-year-old’s potential, but the bright spots certainly shined for Richardson.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Bleacher Report‘s Gary Davenport wrote his predictions for every starting quarterback. Richardson’s predicted stats pay homage to his dual-threat ability at quarterback.

If these numbers come true, Richardson would be only the fourth-ever quarterback to record 1,000 rushing yards in a single season (Michael Vick 2006, Lamar Jackson 2019 & 2020, Justin Fields 2022). With a 4.43 40-yard dash, the open-field speed is something to watch out for this season. Combining that speed with one of the league’s most creative play-callers in Shane Steichen and Indy will have a serious threat in the run game.

The predicted passing stats are eerily similar to Richardson’s final year at the University of Florida, where he posted 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 12 games. At Florida, Richardson didn’t have the kind of weapons he has in Indianapolis. Players like Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and AD Mitchell provide a lethal combination of good hands and elite speed that can tear apart defenses.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Richardson clear these numbers, especially if he plays to his full potential. “I like where he’s at right now big time,” said head coach Shane Steichen. “He’s been on it fundamentally wise. He’s a compact guy type, really good feet, quick feet, which is really good to see. But the arm motion looks good, looks real good out there. So, no concerns there.”

Kickoff is officially under 100 days away as the clock continues to tick until that September 8th game against the Houston Texans. Richardson & Co. have the opportunity to break a Week 1 loss streak that stretches back to the 2013 season.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X; subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Indianapolis, IN

Indy 500 Winner Josef Newgarden Signs Contract Extension At Team Penske

Published

on

Indy 500 Winner Josef Newgarden Signs Contract Extension At Team Penske


With back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories, two NTT IndyCar Series Championships and 30 career IndyCar wins including 27 with Team Penske, it made tremendous sense that Josef Newgarden and Team Penske stay together for the future.

It became official Saturday afternoon at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix as the team announced a contract extension with the IndyCar Series star.

Advertisement

“This very much feels like home here to me,” Newgarden said. “This is my eighth year with the team. They’ve provided me with every opportunity that I could have ever dreamed of. I’ve enjoyed my time here immensely, immensely. There’s nothing that’s ever been missing. Very thankful to our partnerships across the board.

“Chevrolet has powered every single one of my IndyCar victories that I’ve ever had, whether that was pre-Penske or during the entire time. Not somewhere else I want to go. I have loved working with Chevrolet, having them support me my entire career.”

Earlier on Saturday, Hitachi Astemo extended the company’s partnership with Team Penske in another multi-year agreement.

“Certainly, the Hitachi relationship was a very good one to receive when I got to Team Penske,” Newgarden said. “I used to watch Helio Castroneves drive the Hitachi car. I thought if one day I had an opportunity to drive for this team, I would love to drive that car. Helio passed the torch in 2018. We were able to follow that up with a championship in 2019.

Advertisement

“I don’t think it’s farfetched to say we nearly could have had four championships together in that time span. We finished second, runner-up, three years in a row. A couple were very close.

“I think for me what I look at, which is most gratifying, is the potential still has not been reached. There’s a higher ceiling here that we haven’t maxed out yet. That makes me excited for the future.”

Newgarden’s victory was team owner Roger Penske’s record-extending 20th Indianapolis 500 victory.

Advertisement

“Josef Newgarden is a true winner, and we are excited that he will continue as a part of Team Penske for years to come,” said team owner Roger Penske. “What he did Sunday in the Indianapolis 500 shows how Josef consistently delivers for our team and our partners on the track, and he is just as impressive off the track as well. We are proud to have Josef continue with our organization as his skill and passion embody what it means to be a Team Penske driver.”

Newgarden is one of the biggest stars in the IndyCar Series and has called Team Penske home since the 2017 season. In his seven-plus seasons with the organization, Newgarden has totaled 27 wins, 16 NTT P1 Award pole positions, and two IndyCar Series championships in 2017 and 2019.

A well-rounded driver that can win on any circuit, Newgarden has established himself as the top oval racer in the series and his 30 career victories place him alone in the 13th position on the all-time series wins list.

Most-notably, the Nashville, Tenn. native took the checkered flag in the Indianapolis 500 in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first driver since 2002 to win the race in consecutive seasons. His 2024 Indianapolis 500 victory on Sunday afternoon gave Team Penske 20 wins in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” This extension will allow Newgarden to chase immortality as the first driver to win three-consecutive Indianapolis 500s with the most-successful team in the race’s 108-year history.

In addition, this year Newgarden became the first driver in Team Penske history to win the Indianapolis 500 and the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the same season when he helped the team to the overall win in the endurance classic for the first time since 1969.

“Driving for Roger Penske and this iconic team is a dream that I never thought I would realize,” Newgarden said. “I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given during my time at Team Penske. I have a great amount of respect for the individuals that comprise our group, including the partners who support us.

“Our time together has been filled with hard work, teamwork and dedication; and I’m so excited that we will continue on for many more years to come. I’m sure that we can achieve much more in the future. I still believe we haven’t reached our full potential together just yet.”

Newgarden is seventh in the 2024 IndyCar Series standings with one win and two top-five finishes in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet. He is a 2019 winner of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, site of this weekend’s sixth round of the 2024 IndyCar Series championship that can be seen live on the USA Network at 12:00 pm ET on Sunday, June 2.

Advertisement

Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 625 major race wins, over 685 pole positions and 44 championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition.

Entering its 58th season in 2024, Team Penske has also earned 20 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race.

In 2024, Team Penske will compete in the NTT IndyCar Series, NASCAR Cup Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

“The timing was kind of perfect,” Newgarden said. “You never know when you’re going to win the Indianapolis 500. The fact that we did, we have this great extension with Hitachi Astemo, we’re here in GM’s backyard, literally in their house, Penske Corporation is up the road, seemed like a good time to put this together.

“This has been coming for a little while now, so not surprised.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending