VIDEO: https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/week-8-in-state-blitz-2021-de-jc-latham
Strengths:
Plain and simple, JC Latham is as physically gifted as any kid I've seen come out of the state over the last 10-plus years - runner-up is probably John Clay during his junior season at Racine Park. I remember going to see CJ Goetz play in the scrimmage before his senior season started. That was the first time I saw Latham on the sidelines, and I remember scrambling back to try and find out who he was - thinking he was at least a junior or senior - only to find out he was a freshman.
At 6-foot-6/7 and 280 pounds, Latham is built like an SEC defensive lineman. And if he suited up tonight for the Badgers, he would like like he belonged with Big Ten athletes five or six years his elder. For his size, Latham (has a size 18 shoe) is an excellent athlete who also excels in basketball and track. His wing span is also huge, and I was impressed by his ability/recognition to get his hands in the air on pass plays. Body-wise, he's has a thick lower frame with huge calves. Above the waist, he's long and lean with plenty of room to add weight and strength.
Latham has all the things you're looking for in a 3-4 defensive end - burst, flexibility, strength, speed, ability to set the edge, etc. There were also a few plays where he "stunted" or "twisted" from his end position and was able to burst through the middle of the offensive line and to the quarterback. All that being said, he's still pretty raw with a huge ceiling for development. If he continues to move in the trajectory he's headed, I think Latham is a no-doubt five-star prospect.
Areas of improvement:
There were a few times Latham over-pursued and didn't break down in the backfield, which allowed the quarterback to move around him. You would also like to see his motor run each and every down. On the first play of a defensive series, Latham almost always has a positive rep. He needs to play with that same intensity and urgency on every rep. He's also going to add more to his toolbox over the next few years in terms of moves at the line of scrimmage.
Outlook:
I think Wisconsin, which will host Latham and his younger brother (Langston Latham) today (Saturday), has done a good job with their family early in the process. That being said, things are going to pick up in a hurry. Right now Latham is a hot commodity in the Midwest - expect Michigan State and Penn State to offer in the near future - but he's also on the radar of schools in SEC country. Latham was born in Mississippi and his mom still lives down there, so I think those options are also attractive.
In addition to the southeast part of the country, there will also be a draw from the West Coast. Latham's father is related to Kevon Looney (Milwaukee Hamilton), who played at UCLA and now at Golden State, so there's a good chance they make it out there to visit some options in California.
Right now, the family is truly just enjoying the process. I don't think they are in any hurry to cut their list or focus in on any schools. They are just adding offers and trying to pile up as many opportunities as possible while keeping the spotlight off JC as much as possible.
Wisconsin comparison on current roster:
I don't think Wisconsin has a player like Latham on the current roster, but the closest comparison is probably Isaiahh Loudermilk. Loudermilk is currently listed at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, which is probably pretty close to what Latham will look like when he's in college. I just envision him being a big, strong, athletic strong-side defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
Strengths:
Plain and simple, JC Latham is as physically gifted as any kid I've seen come out of the state over the last 10-plus years - runner-up is probably John Clay during his junior season at Racine Park. I remember going to see CJ Goetz play in the scrimmage before his senior season started. That was the first time I saw Latham on the sidelines, and I remember scrambling back to try and find out who he was - thinking he was at least a junior or senior - only to find out he was a freshman.
At 6-foot-6/7 and 280 pounds, Latham is built like an SEC defensive lineman. And if he suited up tonight for the Badgers, he would like like he belonged with Big Ten athletes five or six years his elder. For his size, Latham (has a size 18 shoe) is an excellent athlete who also excels in basketball and track. His wing span is also huge, and I was impressed by his ability/recognition to get his hands in the air on pass plays. Body-wise, he's has a thick lower frame with huge calves. Above the waist, he's long and lean with plenty of room to add weight and strength.
Latham has all the things you're looking for in a 3-4 defensive end - burst, flexibility, strength, speed, ability to set the edge, etc. There were also a few plays where he "stunted" or "twisted" from his end position and was able to burst through the middle of the offensive line and to the quarterback. All that being said, he's still pretty raw with a huge ceiling for development. If he continues to move in the trajectory he's headed, I think Latham is a no-doubt five-star prospect.
Areas of improvement:
There were a few times Latham over-pursued and didn't break down in the backfield, which allowed the quarterback to move around him. You would also like to see his motor run each and every down. On the first play of a defensive series, Latham almost always has a positive rep. He needs to play with that same intensity and urgency on every rep. He's also going to add more to his toolbox over the next few years in terms of moves at the line of scrimmage.
Outlook:
I think Wisconsin, which will host Latham and his younger brother (Langston Latham) today (Saturday), has done a good job with their family early in the process. That being said, things are going to pick up in a hurry. Right now Latham is a hot commodity in the Midwest - expect Michigan State and Penn State to offer in the near future - but he's also on the radar of schools in SEC country. Latham was born in Mississippi and his mom still lives down there, so I think those options are also attractive.
In addition to the southeast part of the country, there will also be a draw from the West Coast. Latham's father is related to Kevon Looney (Milwaukee Hamilton), who played at UCLA and now at Golden State, so there's a good chance they make it out there to visit some options in California.
Right now, the family is truly just enjoying the process. I don't think they are in any hurry to cut their list or focus in on any schools. They are just adding offers and trying to pile up as many opportunities as possible while keeping the spotlight off JC as much as possible.
Wisconsin comparison on current roster:
I don't think Wisconsin has a player like Latham on the current roster, but the closest comparison is probably Isaiahh Loudermilk. Loudermilk is currently listed at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, which is probably pretty close to what Latham will look like when he's in college. I just envision him being a big, strong, athletic strong-side defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
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