Alabama DL Jah-Marien Latham praised for position change to wolf linebacker
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With Alabama’s wolf (outside) linebacker room thinned after the loss of Que Robinson, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is experimenting to add more depth to the position.
During pregame warmups last week against Oklahoma, defensive lineman Jah-Marien Latham was seen warmup up with the rest of the wolf linebackers. Latham typically plays the bandit spot, which is the defensive end on the other side of the defensive line. In every snap he played against the Sooners, Latham played wolf.
“I thought Jah-Marien being able to move over to the wolf in one week based off of some of the injuries that we have, Deontae being a little bit banged up, did a great job in the week of practice and played pretty well in the game,” Wommack said. “There are some similarities in the Bandit and Wolf positions, but then there’s also some very staunch differences. I thought he did a really nice job of making those adjustments throughout the week, and then really was fairly consistent in his execution on game day. So very proud of him, and appreciate him doing that. I told him as much.”
While it was out of the ordinary for Latham, he wanted to answer Wommack’s request in order to be in better service to the team.
“We had a couple guys down at that position, that’s something Coach Kane Wommack asked me to come step up in that position,” Latham said. “Me as the person I am, I’m gonna do whatever is best for the team. That was something he asked me, he said ‘We’re probably gonna need you at this position this week.’ So that’s what I did.”
The wolf position in Wommack’s defense is different from the bandit position, but bears some similarities as well. Typically, the wolf stands in a 2-point stance, and drops into coverage more often, while the bandit is in a 3-point stance more often than not.
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Bandits typically weigh more than wolves and have more athleticism, which speaks to the versatility of Latham and his game for him to showcase the ability to play both spots even with his bigger frame.
“It says a lot about my athleticism and being able to play all over the field, but I knew I could do that,” Latham said. “Evidently, they knew that I could too, that’s why they made the swap. Honestly, that was my first time. Playing the bandit, it’s kind of similar. You drop at that position as well. It’s kind of he same position, just basically flipping it. Whatever I did on that side of the ball, just flipping it.”
Latham is a redshirt senior, and has been one of the leaders on Alabama’s team this season as a veteran along the defensive line. He’s not the only veteran that’s made a position change or had their role shifted due to injuries around the team, and it’s been praised by Wommack.
“To have to move positions as a starter on our defense to go move and play a different position in the game, that’s what’s great about some of our leaders, right,” Wommack said. “Those guys will step up and do whatever it takes in the moment. That’s what’s going to be required when you lose guys like Que Robinson and Deontae Lawson.”
