As the head football coach at the University of Alabama, Nick Saban recruits talent from everywhere.
Sometimes, the best athletes come from small schools. In 2008, Saban’s first major signing class had Michael Williams from Pickens County High School in Reform, Ala. Pickens County is a Class 1A school, but it prides itself on winning championships.
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Williams became a three-time BCS National Champion (2009, 2011-12) and two-time Southeastern Conference Champion in five years with the Crimson Tide. After winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, he returned to his high school Alma mater to coach football.
Williams got his hands on a dominant defensive lineman who is now ready to make waves at Alabama.
Jah-Marien Latham was one of three defensive linemen that signed in the Tide’s 2020 class.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder was a defensive end and punter for Pickens County. As a four-star prospect, he recorded 69 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2019. In handling multiple positions, Latham helped the Tornadoes reach the semifinal round of the playoffs. During his time covering Latham for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Justin Smith (scouting/recruiting analyst) was impressed with his size, power, and quickness. He played in one game (Mississippi State) last season, but Latham was a force in the spring game.
*Latham gets to Tyson for a sack at the 0:54 mark
He anchored the second-team (White) defense with two quarterback pressures and had Paul Tyson running for his life.
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Latham dominated Alabama’s second-team offensive line and totaled four tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Reporters voted him for the Dwight Stephenson Award, which goes to the most valuable lineman. He will be part of the eight to 10-man rotation on the defensive line that will see a lot of playing time in the fall.
The Crimson Tide has depth all over its defense, and the group is expected to be scary good. Alabama fans need to get excited about Latham as he is the next star upfront on the rise.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
