JC Latham assesses Alabama OL vs. MTSU, looks ahead to Texas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban was pleased with the offensive line’s performance in last Saturday’s season-opening win over Middle Tennessee. He praised the unit for its pass protection and in facing a defensive front that utilizes a lot of movement.

Right tackle JC Latham, who made his 14th career start last weekend, shared his assessment of his group’s play during the 56-7 win over the Blue Raiders at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“I think we did good,” Latham told local reporters on Tuesday. “I think it was a great start. I think there’s a lot of areas to improve in, though – be more consistent, pad level, finishing blocks. I definitely think it’s a good start. Obviously, there’s things we can do to be better.”

Offensive linemen aren’t usually mentioned on the television broadcast by name unless they do something wrong, like commit a penalty or allow a sack, but the SEC Network crew lauded one of Latham’s blocks in the first quarter, one where he drove his man 20 yards away from the run play, all the way on the left side of the line of scrimmage – he plays right tackle.

“That’s not the one that you wanna go one-on-one with,” ESPN analyst Cole Cubelic said.

Latham was asked about that specific play on Tuesday and his mindset behind it.

“Just to finish and dominate,” Latham said. “It was the first game, so everybody was going to be a little bit fatigued because we haven’t had a game in so long because it was the offseason. But I just showcased that our goal is to dominate as a unit and our goal is to be the best on the field at all times.

“So just plays like that, just showing that no matter what game, whether it’s the first one or whatever it might be, fourth quarter or overtime, whatever it is, that we’re going to dominate every single play.”

Latham and the rest of the Alabama offensive line have repeatedly shared a desire to be more physical up front this year. The Crimson Tide’s starting five is massive, averaging 6-foot-5 and 339.4 pounds, with Latham heavily contributing to that. He tweeted prior to the 2023 season he is up to 360 pounds, and Saturday’s broadcast reported he is up to 369 pounds.

How did the projected first-round draft pick feel playing at his new weight?

“Definitely felt stronger, for sure,” Latham said. “The strength and conditioning coaches all down there making sure we’re in shape and we’re where we want to be strength-wise. I think as the season goes on, I know for a fact having the strength I’ve built up over the offseason is going to come in handy as the games go by.”

Latham previews matchup with Longhorns

Alabama will play host to Texas on Saturday, and the Longhorns will be a bigger challenge for the Crimson Tide’s offensive line. In UT’s season-opening win over Rice, its defensive front had 19 of the Horns’ 56 total tackles, in addition to 1.5 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and five hurries. Three starters from last year’s team are back to face Alabama.

“They’re big,” Latham said. “They’re stout. They can run. They’re really active with their hands. They’re a really great defensive line. They play great together and they’re in a really great scheme.”

Marquee matchups like Saturday’s in Tuscaloosa are exciting for the team, Latham said.

“Just the opportunity to play in games like this, the biggest games of the season, one of the biggest of the season, definitely the biggest of the week to us, that’s why you came here,” Latham said. “You want to play in these big games and go against the best teams and have an opportunity to prove yourself why you’re here. So yeah, definitely a reason why I came to Alabama.”

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