JC Latham drafted 7th overall by Tennessee Titans, becomes first Alabama selection

From birth in Mississippi, high school in Wisconsin and Florida, and college days in Alabama, the ‘Trench King’ JC Latham discovered his new home while walking across a stage in Michigan on Thursday night.

Latham was drafted seventh overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

He will join head coach Brian Callahan in trying to solidify the offensive line in front of Will Levis. Long considered one of the best offensive line prospects available heading into his final year in Tuscaloosa, Latham was the third non-quarterback selected.

Latham was also the first player chosen from the 2024 Crimson Tide team, Nick Saban’s last as head coach.

For the past two years, Latham started each of UA’s games. He built on his prior connection with left guard Tyler Booker, forged at IMG (Fla.) Academy, and provided anchors in front of Bryce Young and then Jalen Milroe. With Latham at right tackle, Alabama won 23 times, including a Sugar Bowl over Kansas State and an SEC Championship over Georgia.

Latham, measured at 6-foot-6, 342 pounds with a 35 1/8-inch wingspan, lived up to his five-star billing as a high school recruit. After moving to national powerhouse IMG, Latham changed positions. Under coach Bobby Acosta and George Hegamin, Latham was surrounded by a structure his dad sought. Latham transitioned from a four-star defensive line prospect to the top blocker available in the class of 2021.

“I wanted to be in a highly competitive environment. IMG provided me with that. Every single day you have to compete to earn your spot for everything, on the weight room and on the field, nutrition all of of that. COVID hit and I couldn’t take any visits but I knew that environment at IMG would be extremely similar to Alabama,” Latham said during the NFL Combine in February. " ... I knew I was going against guys like Will Anderson, Dallas Turner, Chris Braswell, Chris Allen, the list goes on.”

Starting every game as a sophomore, Latham allowed two sacks. Latham then shed over 20 pounds heading into last fall wanting to improve his quickness and cut down on penalties. He was deemed a consensus second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honoree. Latham averaged more than three knockdown blocks a game, growing with a unit that found its rhythm in mid-October to spark a league championship run.

Latham wanted to prove his versatility to NFL teams and show he could play guard or tackle at the next level. His quest was sidetracked after he suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Rose Bowl’s final play which initially limited him in the pre-draft process. Though ESPN and SEC analyst Cole Cubelic noted “his workouts have been elite.” It was enough for Titans general manager Ron Carthon to make Latham a foundation of the Tennessee’s offensive line.

Latham is Alabama’s first tackle picked in the first round since Evan Neal went seventh overall to the New York Giants in 2022.

“Some guys grow up when they’re 40 (years old),” Bill Young, Latham’s high school coach at Catholic (Wis.) Memorial High, said, “others do it when they’re 20.”

Latham, Terrion Arnold and Dallas Turner were in the draft’s green room at One Campus Martius to actualize their future dreams. Now, Latham will join former Tide player Calvin Ridley with the Titans.

Latham is the 50th first-round draft pick that Saban coached in college. Andre Smith was Saban’s initial Tide first-rounder in 2009.

Alabama 2024 NFL draft picks

This post will be updated.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.