DL/FB Ettore Lattanzio (5th round, 38th overall)

[BigBlue]

There’s an expression that goes something like this, ‘That guy has a chip on his shoulder bigger than the national debt.’

And while it’s not quite the size of our national debt, Ottawa defensive tackle Ettore Lattanzio has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his size as an interior defensive lineman. Lattanzio is actually an extremely approachable young man who went out of his way to talk to people at this year’s CFL Combine. Yet that talk would almost always turn to his 5’11” 246 pound frame and how he is too undersized to play defensive tackle in the CFL. Lattanzio is a bit tired of the talk.

“I've always been the smaller guy. I've always been kind of overlooked. Other players are seen as better or they’re more suited for the position and yada, yada, yada,” Lattanzio told TSN. “Time and again I've seemed to have done better than all of them.”

For Lattanzio, his size has become more an issue the further he has advanced in football. When he started playing the game he was one of the bigger players but as he progressed he never grew. He would try different positions but his coaches would always end up putting him back at defensive tackle.

“It's been a good thing and at the same time it's been a bad thing because coaches at the next level always look at me and say 'what do we do with you?” Lattanzio said. “I only really played interior so it's worked out to that point.”

In his four years at Ottawa, Lattanzio was a model of consistency, putting up stellar numbers for an interior player. He averaged nearly 27 tackles per season, a sack per game and 1.5 tackles for loss pergame. He was named a first team All-Canadian in 2013 and he bettered that in 2014 being named an All-Canadian again and winning the JP Metras trophy as the Outstanding Lineman in the CIS.

“Despite what they call shortcomings, I've been able to best everybody,” Lattanzio stated. “Not to toot my own horn but sometimes in sports I feel there's too much emphasis especially in football on size, and numbers and such and such, and not enough on the character and willingness of the athletes to compete.”

In spite of his success in the CIS, Lattanzio is ranked #20 on the CFL prospect list and was the fourth highest ranked defensive lineman. While he is not surprised by his ranking, he does believe he should have been ranked higher.

“Again with the height, there's a question mark. What are we going to do with this guy? At the same time I do feel I should be, and I'm not saying top 10 or anything like that, but I mean in all respects I did win the JP Metras award and that's got to count for something,” Lattanzio mentioned.

“Western's lineman (Daryl Waud) is way above me, we played in the same conference, against the same teams and I look at the numbers and the proof's in the pudding right? Who was the more dominant player all-around? I'm not saying that to take away from (him), Daryl Waud's a great athlete, a great guy, but it's politics again. If you don't fit the criteria, it's going to hinder you. So I mean I'm not surprised as to where I landed. I'm happy that I made it there but I have a chip on my shoulder and have to prove myself yet again to bolster that position.”

Lattanzio put up 32 reps of 225 pounds at the CFL Combine, the most among defensive linemen. He showed that he had the strength to play at the next level. He was also putting a lot of stock into how he would perform in the 1-on-1 drills. Outside of being manhandled by Calgary’s Sukh Chungh on one rush (Chungh dominated every defensive player in the 1-on-1’s) Lattanzio was competitive the rest of the way. TSN’s CFL draft analyst Duane Forde has called Lattanzio one the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft.

“(He has) cat-like quickness, sneaky strength and a relentless motor. If he were 6’4”, 290 lbs., he’d be a consensus first-round pick, but, at 6’0”, 260 lbs., he’s a tweener. But he’s a tweener who will be hard to ignore.”

“I want to play football,” Lattazio stated emphatically. “Some people talk about playing linebacker, I would have to lose about 30 pounds to play that position. I think if given the opportunity, I know I can play as a lineman. I just want to show them I can do it.”

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-ca-cfl-draft-profile-ettore-lattanzio-1.263226

[Mike]

He must be thrilled we're putting him at FB.

[AKAChip]

Well at least they gave him a chance.

[M.O.A.B.]

Etorre 'Toro' Lattanzio

[Bigblue204]

wonder if they will give him a chance to line up as DL in training camp

[kelownabomberfan]

steal of the draft

[Engelwood]

I can see him as a passing downs specialist in the middle. 

[mbrg]

Sounds Norwegian.