6/12/2020 football Edit

Commitment breakdown: JC Latham chooses Alabama

Rob Cassidy • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Rivals100 offensive lineman JC Latham announced his intention to sign with Alabama on Friday, giving the Tide one of the highest upside prospects in the 2021 class. Below, Rivals.com explores with the Crimson Tide is getting in the four-star defensive end turned elite offensive tackle and what it means for Nick Saban's progam.

WHAT ALABAMA IS GETTING

Latham’s lofty ranking is based on tools, of which he has many. Physically, the long, lean, powerful lineman seems to have been created in a lab to play offensive tackle. The catch is that he hasn’t been playing the position long. A longtime defensive end, Latham made the switch to offense just last year and seems to be picking up the new position at a rapid pace. Regardless of experience, however, a tackle with Latham’s build and athleticism will always have a five-star ceiling. Add in the fact that Nick Saban’s program has a history of developing physically gifted lineman into NFL prospects, and it shouldn’t be long before Latham makes an impact in Tuscaloosa. There’s no telling how great he can become as he continues to learn the intricacies of the position. There are few players in this class with more upside.

WHAT IT MEANS BIG PICTURE

There’s no better high school program with which to build a pipeline than IMG Academy, a team that pumps out dozens of FBS prospects each year. Latham's commitment to Alabama gives Nick Saban his sixth player from the school in the last five classes.

Latham follows in the footsteps of former IMG five-star tackle Evan Neal, who found playing time at Bama as a true freshman a season ago. There’s little doubt that Neal’s success in Tuscaloosa played into Latham’s decision, as the Tide’s pull at IMG seems to be compounding. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. And Alabama has turned into the tapioca factory. Beating out Ohio State for a midwestern-born prospect isn’t an easy task, so Saban holding off Ryan Day when it comes to the Wisconsin-born Latham makes the news extra sweet for Tide fans.