Alabama signed five offensive linemen in its 2021 recruiting class, but JC Latham garnered attention as the most college ready to start for a school.
He arrived as a five-star, and Touchdown Alabama Magazine’s independent recruiting rankings provided him with one diamond, meaning Latham projected as an “immediate contributor and game-changer.” Justin Smith, the lead scouting/recruiting analyst for TDA, got it right as Latham played 14 games last season. He recorded 104 snaps in his freshman campaign as much of his action came versus Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. The 6-foot-6, 326-pounder excelled at Catholic Memorial High School (Wisconsin) and IMG Academy (Florida).
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He led Catholic Memorial to a 13-1 record and a Wisconsin Division 3 state championship in 2018. Latham pushed IMG Academy to a 9-1 record in 2019 and the No. 1 seed in MaxPreps Xcellent Top 25 polls in 2020. He dominated the high school scene as an offensive tackle, and now Latham is gunning for a starting role on the Crimson Tide’s front line. Evan Neal, an alumnus of IMG Academy, projects to be a top-five selection in the NFL Draft. On Wednesday, he told reporters that Latham had been working at tackle in spring practice. Javion Cohen, a junior offensive lineman, spoke about Latham on Thursday during media availability.
He said Latham has grown in maturity.
“He’s picked up his intensity and focus,” Cohen said. “He’s very, very well-rounded. He can play inside, outside, both sides actually. He’s learning a lot from us, and we’re learning a lot from him, as well.”
Latham carries the size and length of a prototypical tackle under Nick Saban.
Crimson Tide fans want to see the number of sacks (39) that Bryce Young took in 2021 dropped.
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It starts with Eric Wolford (offensive line coach) getting the best five linemen on the field, and Latham sees himself as one of the five. He looks to propel this group to win the Joe Moore Award and a College Football Playoff National Championship in the fall.
Cohen sees the growth of everyone, but he’s proud of what Latham has done.
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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.
