Jet Nation Scouting Profile: Alabama OT JC Latham

[JetNation]

As we continue rolling out JetNation prospect scouting reports, we’ve got another offensive lineman for you today in Alabama’s JC Latham.  The big man out of Alabama has been mentioned as a consideration for the Jets along with Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State.

 

Height: 6-6

Weight: 342

Hand Size: 11’’

Arm Size: 35 ⅛’’

Hometown: Oak Creek, Wis

High School: IMG Academy

Class/Age: 2021, 21-years old

Recruit: ★★★★★

 

Film Study

Games Watched: vs Arkansas (2023), vs. Auburn (2023), vs. Texas (2023)

Balance: Is normally found upright, his hand lunges and placement can sometimes have him out in front with his large frame, which can result in him being out of sync with the rush. 

Pass Protection:  Thrives with his eyes and his ability to scan for potential problems from the defense. Picks up stunts well. Can struggle at times with consistency and can find himself out of place. 

Run Blocking: This is where Latham shines. Has a knack for finding defenders to bowl over. Is quick enough getting out in space or as a pulling tackle. 

The latest monster OT out of Alabama JC Latham (65) should hear his name called in the top 10 picks and be an immediate difference maker in the run game. pic.twitter.com/hX2O4N5opV

— Glenn Naughton (@JetsPicks) October 21, 2023

Lateral Mobility/Athleticism: Is able to adjust both with his eyes and body to stunts and wide angled rushers and can make adjustments mid-play from a protection standpoint. 

Point of Attack Power: Doesn’t have a ton of power to completely blow away oncoming pass rushers, but can handle his own.

Hands: Hands can be erratic and inconsistent. Struggles to take sting out of pass rushers on a regular enough basis. 

Anchor:  JC Latham doesn’t get bowled over, is able to stand firm against power rushers and absorb a decent amount of power. 

Strength: His strength is on full display in the run game, has a nastiness about him that can be displayed through his ability to toss people aside.

Size: Listed at 6-6, 360 lbs on the Alabama website, Latham came into the NFL Combine at 6-6, 342 lbs. On tape, he uses that size to his advantage. His length allows him to keep defenders away. 

Versatility: Probably can slide inside to play guard if right tackle doesn’t work out, but expect teams to view him as a right tackle option first and foremost. 

 

Notes:

Played in 14 games as a backup during his true freshman season in 2021. Took over the starting job in 2022. Earned First-team All SEC honors in 2023. 

 

Summary:

JC Latham provides immediate value in the run game, where his consistency shines the most. He can pull and get out in space, playing with a nastiness in the run-game that teams will covet. What will be interesting at the next level is if Latham can find more consistency in pass protection. If not, a move inside to guard could be on the table.

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[jetsons]

Kiper has him going to the Chargers in his 2.0. 

[Jack Straw]

PTSD from Mekhi Becton probably rules Latham out...but he's one of the top tackles in this class. 

[Adoni Beast]

A now very underrated prospect almost due to one play. But Latham actually played a very good game overall against Michigan.

He unlike Fuaga has the ability to play LT if a team dedicated him at that position.

 

[Larz]

Ideally any lineman taken is considered a high level prospect for their pass protection over run blocking 

[Augustiniak]

He looks slow and speed rushers are going to make him look average. 

[RedBeardedSavage]

34 minutes ago, Larz said:

Ideally any lineman taken is considered a high level prospect for their pass protection over run blocking 

Can't say I know enough about Latham v the other tackles and who fits what we're trying to do schematically - but I genuinely wonder if we should be prioritizing an excellent run-blocking offensive line instead of pass-blockers and WR2.

Breece Hall is the best football player on the team and runningbacks don't last that long. Let's not waste this window.

[Beerfish]

Totally getting blown up and folded and pushed back into the QB on the most important play of his college career when size nd run blocking are 'his thing'

Right Tackle only

This would be an Alex Leatherwood type of pick.

If Alt, Fahsanu and Fuaga were all gone this would be the only thought and even then we would be drafting this guy over some weapons.

Would be an awful pick.

 

 

[Augustiniak]

9 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

Totally getting blown up and folded and pushed back into the QB on the most important play of his college career when size nd run blocking are 'his thing'

Right Tackle only

This would be an Alex Leatherwood type of pick.

If Alt, Fahsanu and Fuaga wee all gone this would be the only thought and even then we would be drafting this guy over some weapons.

Would be an awful pick.

 

 

Agreed.  There’s a few other tackles at the back end of round 1 I’d rather have.  But it does seem likely at this point, that the jets get either fashanu or fuaga.  

[varjet]

I think in today's NFL he is a 10-20 pick.  

Is her better or worse than Anton Harrison?

Do we take Fuaga at 10 or Latham at 18 with a second round pick traded for?  I may choose the latter and choose the 2nd round pick for a Malachi Corley or Ricky Pearson.