Nick Saban provides major update on Cameron Latu's status for training camp

As Alabama is entering training camp, the tight end room will be shorthanded. Nick Saban confirmed Cameron Latu will be out to start camp.

Saban didn’t say why Latu will miss time to start camp during a press conference on Thursday, but added his absence gives some of the younger Crimson Tide players a chance to get some reps and experience in the offense.

“Cam is going to miss some time in camp,” Saban told reporters. “I’m don’t know exactly how long, which is an opportunity. I think we have a couple, three freshmen, young guys that have an opportunity to develop. So it will give them a lot of reps and a lot of opportunity in camp. That’s a position that we definitely need to develop some depth at and this will give us a good opportunity to do that.”

Last year, Latu had 26 receptions for 410 yards and eight touchdowns in his first full season in the Alabama offense. He started his career in Tuscaloosa primarily on special teams, but earned a starting role last year as the Crimson Tide made it to the national championship.

Nick Saban defends comments made about 2021 being ‘rebuilding’ year

Saban previously said the 2021 Crimson Tide football team was one that was “rebuilding” even though quarterback Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy — the first quarterback in Alabama history to do so. Alabama also won the SEC Championship and came up just short of winning the national championship.

With criticism of the comments coming from all corners of college football, Saban defended his comments, following up on the discussion when asked during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

“I don’t understand what’s so hard to understand,” Saban said. “We were young, and [this year], we should have nine starters back on offense and nine starters back on defense. That’s the point I was trying to make … So – as we usually have to do – we have lots of rebuilding to do again this season. That’s the point that I was trying to make.

“I don’t think our standard is like everybody else’s standard, but when you have a lot of young players playing, you’re actually trying to rebuild so those guys get the kind of experience you need so they can play at the level you need to play.”