Filed to the it's wild but true department: there's still one player remaining on the roster from Alabama's 2020 National Championship team. Reform native Jah-Marien Latham is a 7th-year player who spent his freshman season on the Tide's last title team.
He's had an injury-plagued career, including a career-threatening neck injury during practice last season. What, if any, role Latham would have going forward was unknown until recently. Now, Latham is back, and he should be a contributor off the edge at both Bandit and Wolf in Kane Wommack's defensive scheme.
Latham gives Alabama an experienced edge player, not one who is going to provide much in terms of getting after the passer, but one who should be of assistance in setting the edge against the run.
Latham has worked extremely hard to get himself back to a point where he can contribute. According to Wommack, he's doing a lot more than just that.
"You watch him in the six-technique drill, and he’s kicking ass right now," Wommack said on Friday.
Kane Wommack has high praise for Jah-Marien Latham's effort to get back on the field
Alabama has more depth off the edge this year than it did last, but it's hard to put a price on experience and leadership, two things that Latham brings in spades. He's been around the block; he's the only player on the team who knows what it takes to win a National Championship at Alabama. He doesn't have to be told the standard; he's lived it.
This place obviously means something to Latham for him to battle through all the adversity to get back on the field.
"I love his work ethic," Wommack said. "He wants to be a coach one day. He operates that way; he’s got a great maturity. What’s amazing in the first three days is how quickly he’s adapted back to the fundamentals of football. ...Awesome to have him back, and he’s worked really, really hard to get himself back in position to do that.”
Latham won't be a starter for Alabama up front. Yhonzae Pierre has a stranglehold on the starting Wolf position, and sophomore Justin Hill looks ready to take a leap forward in his second season. The Crimson Tide also added Desmond Umeozulu from South Carolina in the Transfer Portal.
They also got bigger at Bandit, adding USC transfer Devan Thompkins, who is expected to be the starter there.
But Latham's experience and versatility are an invaluable part of the defense. He's going to get snaps at both positions, likely on earlier downs. His presence in the locker room is a big piece of the puzzle, but he's a capable player when healthy and will make an impact on the field this season.
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