:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56058279/32490791604_072ec4db3e_o.0.jpg)
Holy geez, Nick Saban and his staff are on a roll!
4-star defensive end Cameron Latu has become the 2nd commitment in as many days for the Alabama Crimson Tide and their 9th overall after Latu announced his choice at his high school Friday afternoon.
This slow-building class of the Tide’s gained some momentum in early June when outside linebacker Quay Walker committed. At that point, Alabama had a sum total of two commitments.
Since then, they have tripled that early June total and their latest commit could be the best of the bunch.
Out of Olympus in Salt Lake City, Utah, Latu has been a Bama lean for a while and it’s easy to see considering Tosh Lupoi was his primary recruiter.
Lupoi is in charge of the western half of the United States for the Tide and given his predilection towards pass-rushing ends and linebackers, it would be challenging for anyone else to have a chance.
Latu, currently, resembles that of a tight end: 6’5”, 235 pounds. He’s slender and has surprising size when facing offensive linemen.
He may need to put on some extra weight at the next level, but Latu has serious potential going forward. He plays aggressively and rarely if ever gives up on a play.
As you’ll see in the following video, he gets handled pretty well by bigger offensive linemen, but he fights the entire time and occasionally overpowers guys with at least 50 pounds on him.
For the Tide, this is their third defensive end commitment, although they could be in the running for one or two more if they feel Latu or Jordan Davis warrant a look at outside LB in Saban’s 3-4 scheme. This would, also, afford either one the opportunity to work with Lupoi.
Either way, Latu is a huge get for Alabama and one that should help them as the season draws near.
Congrats to Latu and his family!