Started By
Message
Jah-Marien Latham Coming Back for 2026!
Posted on 1/28/26 at 5:57 pm
Posted on 1/28/26 at 5:57 pm
Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here. quote:
In his appearance ahead of a 2026 Senior Bowl practice, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack confirmed to The Tuscaloosa News that Latham will be back in 2026 for his seventh season of eligibility.
"You feel the sense of urgency from Zeebo Latham," Wommack told The Tuscaloosa News. "I don't think people realize how important Jah-Marien was to us a year ago. He can play our Wolf. He can play our Bandit position. He can play 3-technique in a pinch. And when we lost him, we lost a lot of backup depth and versatility that we would have loved to have, you know what I mean, as we went into the rest of the season.
"Both of them will be back," Wommack continued, initially answering a question about defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman returning from a knee injury.
This post was edited on 1/28/26 at 6:02 pm
1
Posted on 1/28/26 at 6:04 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
Explains their approach in portal. Essentially getting two transfers in their effect in Beaman and Latham.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 6:06 pm to Diego Ricardo
You mean our actual football coaches know more than message board coaches? Who would’ve guessed.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 6:07 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:looking in pretty good shape at DL assuming all these transfers are not busts
Explains their approach in portal. Essentially getting two transfers in their effect in Beaman and Latham.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 7:27 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:
Explains their approach in portal. Essentially getting two transfers in their effect in Beaman and Latham.
I mean if Latham can get back to form I agree 100%.
He’s an experienced starter level guy and Beaman sounded like he was pushing before his injury.
They have the potential to be solid to good post portal on the DL which is a huge shift looking back to the point at which we had lost Keeley/Smith/Hubbard.
We know what the secondary is so now we’re looking at you LBs…
Posted on 1/28/26 at 7:35 pm to tide06
Woodson was a big add at inside backer. I think we've got a few different guys who were getting on the field a bit later in the season who ought to be fine at the other inside backer spot.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 7:41 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:
Woodson was a big add at inside backer. I think we've got a few different guys who were getting on the field a bit later in the season who ought to be fine at the other inside backer spot.
Look I appreciate the optimism but we went from 3 seniors to three guys who have never even started on a defense that had a horrible time trying to make run fits last year.
There’s reason to think we can be functional there and maybe the 5* TF can contribute later in the season, but I expect major growing pains early with that group and am firmly in the “show me” camp.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 7:58 pm to tide06
We always have growing pains. Especially when our best players were 3 and out.
Most only reached their potential at year 3.
It was a concern of mine for Sabans' entirety here.
.....but he reloaded. OK now the game has changed. I wasn't disappointed in our defense last year.
It was all about gaining 4 or 5 yards running the ball.
I also am not crazy enough to think we will win a National championship every 3 or 4 years.
Some of our fans are spoiled. I'm damn happy I was able to go to the Suggar Bowl when we beat Miami.....what a great time.
And it was especially great because it had been a while, and we were underdogs.
If you don't remember what that was like you have been spoiled.
Most only reached their potential at year 3.
It was a concern of mine for Sabans' entirety here.
.....but he reloaded. OK now the game has changed. I wasn't disappointed in our defense last year.
It was all about gaining 4 or 5 yards running the ball.
I also am not crazy enough to think we will win a National championship every 3 or 4 years.
Some of our fans are spoiled. I'm damn happy I was able to go to the Suggar Bowl when we beat Miami.....what a great time.
And it was especially great because it had been a while, and we were underdogs.
If you don't remember what that was like you have been spoiled.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 8:53 pm to tide06
quote:
Look I appreciate the optimism but we went from 3 seniors to three guys who have never even started on a defense that had a horrible time trying to make run fits last year.
Woodson is a senior transfer with starting experience. How do you lament losing 3 seniors in one breath and speak of run fit issues in the next? Are we losing great experience or not?
Posted on 1/29/26 at 4:26 am to Diego Ricardo
QB Reese is violent.
Xavier Griffin is in the same category as the 8 TF LB’s that started for CNS. Very similar player to Rashaad Evans imo.
Lots of other good options there like Woodson, young guys like Abdulla Sanders and Duke Johnson that have a lot of ability. I know Cayden Jones got a lot of experience this past season.
I think it will ultimately will be Reese, Griffin and Woodson as the top 3 imo.
Xavier Griffin is in the same category as the 8 TF LB’s that started for CNS. Very similar player to Rashaad Evans imo.
Lots of other good options there like Woodson, young guys like Abdulla Sanders and Duke Johnson that have a lot of ability. I know Cayden Jones got a lot of experience this past season.
I think it will ultimately will be Reese, Griffin and Woodson as the top 3 imo.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 6:48 am to Cover1Key
I think you're right. Probably start the season with Woodson and Reese but Griffin will end up getting on the field as the third insider backer that rotates in and off a good bit. That seems to be a preference with this staff. Jefferson did that in 2024 and Hill-Green did that in 2025.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 6:59 am to Cover1Key
It's hard not to be impressed with Griffin's quickness and athleticism. My only concern is that he's listed at 200 lbs. I hope that's not correct now. Yes, he COULD theoretically put on 30 lbs but it won't be easy.
Assuming either the 200 lb listing is either wrong or he can put on a minimum of 25 lbs (preferably 30), he might be able to play a lot.
I was impressed with QB Reese in what little I saw. He has a lot of raw instinct and ability. He just needs reps, reps and more reps this Spring. His old man was a really good one at Auburn, so the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Assuming either the 200 lb listing is either wrong or he can put on a minimum of 25 lbs (preferably 30), he might be able to play a lot.
I was impressed with QB Reese in what little I saw. He has a lot of raw instinct and ability. He just needs reps, reps and more reps this Spring. His old man was a really good one at Auburn, so the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 7:01 am to Diego Ricardo
quote:
Woodson is a senior transfer with starting experience.
Not within our system.
I like his athleticism and hopefully he does well with a change of venue but let’s not ignore that he had some major off the field issues last year in Blacksburg. If he can secure one spot at a high level it would be a big deal for us.
quote:
Are we losing great experience or not?
Experience? Tons.
Great? The NFL doesn’t seem to think so.
The whole group struggled early in part due to some overly aggressive and predictable blitzing and poor run fits that resulted in a terrible explosive play rate, but I thought they were good down the stretch.
But to be clear we were in the 60s in adjusted YPC defense. That’s not me complaining about not operating at a Saban standard, it’s objectively bad.
Outside of Woodson and Griffin (who is being listed at like ~205) these guys who weren’t exactly 5* profile guys out of HS who couldn’t push the starters when they were struggling so yes, I have major questions particularly early in the year and anyone being realistic should as well until we see them handle business against elite offenses.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 7:15 am to tide06
quote:
Not within our system.
If this were the Saban era, I’d be a tad more concerned but frankly we have pared down the complexity a ton.
Page 1 of 1
Latest Alabama News
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News