JC Latham is a top offensive line prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
After a successful career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Latham is widely expected to be one of the top offensive linemen drafted. Let’s dive into Latham’s background and journey towards becoming a top NFL prospect.
Where Did JC Latham’s Football Career Start?
Born in Mississippi but growing up in Wisconsin, Latham originally attended Catholic Memorial High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida.
As a sophomore, Latham helped Catholic Memorial boast an impressive 13-1 record, winning the Wisconsin Division III State Championship. He transferred to IMG for his junior and senior seasons.
Latham played both offensive line and defensive line in high school. He was a unanimous five-star recruit and participated in the 2020 Under Armour All-American Game.
Before his commitment to Alabama, Latham was also unanimously the nation’s highest-ranked offensive lineman and the highest-rated SEC commit.
Revisiting Latham’s College Career
Latham committed to the University of Alabama despite offers from nearly every program, including Ohio State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and LSU.
Latham served as a backup during his true freshman season in 2021, playing in 14 games. In 2022, he became Alabama’s starting right tackle and started all 13 games.
In 2023, Latham solidified himself as a surefire NFL talent. He added weight and reduced body fat, returning to his right tackle job where he started all 13 games. Latham earned first-team All-SEC honors during his final year in school.
After the 2023 season, Latham expectedly declared for the NFL Draft where he’s widely expected to be one of the top offensive linemen selected in a loaded class.
Latham’s Potential in the NFL
The 2024 NFL Draft is loaded with talented offensive line prospects, but Latham is still projected to be one of the first players selected, regardless of position.
At just 21 years old, Latham is an intriguing prospect because of his All-SEC pedigree, production against proven competition, as well as his massive 6’6″ frame.
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of JC Latham
In Latham’s scouting report, NFL Draft analyst Ian Cummings explains that while Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu are just as good, Latham provides a unique kind of upside with his explosiveness, power, and road-grading ability in the run game.
“There isn’t a tackle in the stacked 2024 class who can generate the kind of push and displacement that Latham can, both with his power drive and his rotational torque,” Cummings wrote.
Highlights, Records, and More
Latham’s 2023 All-SEC honors will certainly impress NFL general managers and scouts as he was one of the best players in the nation’s most battle-tested conference.
His college career lived up to the hype of a five-star recruit. Additionally, in 2023, Latham was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, and Walter Camp.
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