Alabama tight finish Cameron Latu catches a landing move over Mississippi security Ladarius Tennison through the first half of a sport in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Thomas Graning, Related Press
Cameron Latu made a reputation for himself in Utah as a star linebacker and defensive finish at Olympus Excessive. He selected the College of Alabama for faculty, the place he transformed to tight finish and caught passes from Bryce Younger, who was taken first total within the 2023 NFL draft.
Now, Latu’s personal NFL desires are coming true. The 6-foot-4, 242 pound tight finish was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 101 decide within the third spherical of the 2023 NFL draft.
Within the NFL, Latu is anticipated to additional develop his pass-catching and blocking expertise, which have been already adequate at Alabama to make him a two-year starter.
Latu averaged 14.1 yards per catch throughout his faculty profession, and he logged a complete of 12 touchdowns and 787 receiving yards. In 2021, he broke Irv Smith Jr.’s college file for landing catches in a season by a decent finish.
Latu grew up enjoying a number of sports activities, together with rugby, in northern Minnesota earlier than relocating to Utah. In extra to soccer, he wrestled and performed membership rugby at Olympus Excessive.
What NFL draft consultants mentioned about Cameron Latu
“Latu has a median dimension/pace profile and should enhance as a blocker, however his ascending confidence and clean pass-catching expertise make him a reliable chain mover. He ought to compete for a backup position as an NFL rookie with eventual low-end beginning potential.” Dane Brugler, The Athletic
“Latu’s lean legs and angular body aren’t made for drive blocking or neutralizing greater gamers, however he does a pleasant job of sustaining transfer blocks in house. He modifies route pace to open throwing home windows over the primary two ranges. There are some points with focus drops at occasions, however he plucks throws with good hand extension when potential.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
“Latu does a great job catching on the run and transitioning rapidly upfield, however he’s inconsistent catching in visitors and doesn't present a second gear as a runner after the catch. As a blocker, he takes good angles and will get in stable place as an in-line blocker. He’s not a powerful finisher within the run sport and struggles to maintain if pressured to carry up too lengthy in move safety.” — ESPN draft group
What consultants mentioned in regards to the choice
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner believes Latu will be capable of “contribute immediately” and provide precious help to 49ers star George Kittle. “In Latu, the Niners hope they lastly have the participant who may give Kittle the occasional breather, provide some extra choices in two tight finish units and, maybe, turn into an eventual substitute for the do-everything Kittle,” he wrote.
Equally, Joseph Acosta at SB Nation mentioned Latu will present depth, however he additionally famous that the wow issue is probably not there.
Latu is a “stable, dependable tight finish who received’t wow you in any facet of the sport however he’ll present depth for the Niners,” he wrote.
Different draft analysts have been extra essential of the 49ers alternative. Professional Soccer Focus, for instance, highlighted Latu’s lack of manufacturing final season.
“Latu is coming off a season during which he produced a 60.6 PFF receiving grade, a 50.0 run-blocking grade and a low 1.03 yards per route run. He has the dimensions that groups search for on the place, however the manufacturing simply wasn’t there in 2022,” PFF mentioned within the paragraph explaining its “under common” score for the decide.
Earlier Olympus Excessive gamers who made it to the NFL
- Phil Tuckett, extensive receiver, San Diego Chargers (1968).
- Dick Leeuwenburg, deal with, Chicago Bears (1965).
- Merrill Douglas, working again, Chicago Bears (1958-1960), Dallas Cowboys (1961), Philadelphia Eagles (1962).