Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham was selected by the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Latham was Alabama’s first player chosen during the first round of the draft. He was the second offensive tackle picked in the draft, after Notre Dame’s Joe Alt.
A former five-star recruit in 2021 from IMG Academy in Florida, Latham saw limited minutes as a freshman before starting at right tackle the past two seasons for the Tide. He was named first-team All-SEC last season in addition to earning second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, FWAA, Walter Camp and Sporting News.
Latham, who was 247 Sports’ No. 5 overall player in his high school class, was long considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick. He measured 6-foot-5 and 342 pounds at the NFL combine this offseason, making him the third-heaviest offensive lineman who was weighed in Indianapolis. Scouts have considered Latham a possible tackle or guard in the pros.
This marks the sixth consecutive year in which an Alabama offensive lineman has been selected within the top three rounds of the NFL draft. Left tackle Tyler Steen was taken in the third round in 2023 after Alabama had a streak of four consecutive drafts with a first-round tackle in Evan Neal (2022), Alex Leatherwood (2021), Jedrick Wills (2020) and Jonah Williams (2019). Latham joins D.J. Fluker (2013), James Carpenter (2011) and Andre Smith (2009) as other Alabama offensive tackles drafted in the first round during the Nick Saban era.
Latham ties Neal (No. 7, 2022) as the 5th-highest drafted Alabama offensive lineman in NFL draft history behind Chris Samuels (No. 3, 2000), John Hannah (No. 4, 1973), Vaughn Mancha (No. 5, 1948) and Andre Smith (No. 6, 2009).
Latham also became Saban’s 50th first-round pick, extending his record.
“I just love it when our guys get picked, man,” Saban said during ABC’s broadcast. “JC played great ball for us, man. He was a leader on our team. You talk about being physical and dominate the line of scrimmage — I mean, this guy is as powerful as anybody we’ve ever had. When he gets his hands on you, you’ve had it. A fine young man. Really, really hard worker. Everybody on the team loves the guy. I’m so happy for him and his family. When it’s your guys — and you know it’s your dream — it just makes you feel so great when they get the opportunity.”
Here was 247 Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins’ high school prospect report on Latham from September 4, 2020:
PROJECTION: First Round
Looks the part with his tall frame and long arms. Large hands. Body matured while lifting in a college-style strength program over the past two and a half years. Room, however, to keep adding muscle. A defensive end with a basketball background that made the transition to offense and became a two-year starter at left tackle for IMG Academy. Exceptional space athlete. Uses length and wide lateral strides to protect the corner. Mirrors and rolls with his hips. Unloads on down blocks. Latches on and generates movement to open up holes. Comfortable climbing and engaging defenders at the second level. Packs a sturdy punch. Understands the importance of finding proper depth with his kick step. Posted impressive testing numbers spring before junior season with a short shuttle time that some skill players would find acceptable. Will tap into a mean streak and play through the whistle. Improved as a run blocker his senior season, but a little more advanced at his stage in his development as a pass blocker. Still refining technique, but has one of the highest ceiling’s out of any prospect in the class of 2021 given build, big-man twitch and balance. Has the natural tools and athleticism to be a multi-year starter for a top 25 program and eventually a first-round NFL Draft pick.
