Jerome Latham Bio
Jerome “JC” Latham (born February 8, 2003) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected seventh overall by the Titans in the 2024 NFL draft. A first-team All-SEC selection in 2023, Latham transitioned to the professional ranks as one of the most highly touted offensive line prospects of his draft class. He wears number 55 for the Titans and has served as a full-time starter since arriving in the league.
Early Life and Background
Jerome Latham was born on February 8, 2003, in Meridian, Mississippi, and grew up in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. His early years in the Midwest introduced him to football at a young age, and he developed physically into a prototypical offensive line prospect. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and listed at 342 pounds, his size became apparent well before high school, and he quickly outpaced most peers at his position.
He originally attended Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin, before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a program widely known for developing top-tier football talent. At IMG, Latham played both offensive tackle and defensive end, showing the versatility and athleticism that would later define his recruitment. He was selected to play in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, an honor reserved for the country’s elite high school seniors.
Rated as a five-star recruit, Latham chose the University of Alabama over other scholarship offers, citing the program’s long history of producing NFL offensive linemen. His decision to leave the Midwest for a national powerhouse set the stage for his rapid rise through the college ranks.
Path to American Football
Latham’s path to elite-level American football began in earnest at IMG Academy, where he faced top competition on a daily basis and refined his technique as a tackle. Playing on both sides of the line of scrimbola gave him a unique perspective on pass protection and run blocking, two skills that would become central to his professional identity. The Under Armour All-America Game invitation confirmed his status as one of the premier prospects in the 2021 recruiting cycle.
Committing to Alabama placed Latham in one of the most demanding football environments in college sports. The Crimson Tide’s track record of developing NFL offensive linemen made the school a natural fit for a player of his size and pedigree. By the time he arrived in Tuscaloosa, expectations were already high that he would develop into an early-round draft selection.
Jerome Latham Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Latham played in 14 games as a backup during his true freshman year at Alabama in the 2021 season, gaining valuable experience behind a veteran offensive line. The following year, he became the team’s starting right tackle and played all 13 games during the 2022 season. His transition from reserve to starter signaled a major step forward in his development as a pass protector and run blocker.
By his sophomore campaign, Latham had locked down a starting role and was contributing on a consistent basis for one of college football’s most successful programs. The reps he accumulated helped him prepare for the jump to All-Conference caliber play the following year.
Alabama Breakthrough (2023)
As a junior in 2023, Latham started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide, cementing himself as one of the premier offensive tackles in the Southeastern Conference. His dominant play earned him first-team All-SEC honors and second-team All-American recognition for the season. He was widely viewed as the top offensive lineman in his class by the end of the year.
Following the 2023 season, Latham declared for the 2024 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. The decision reflected both his individual production and the high pre-draft grades he had earned from NFL teams.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024–Present)
Latham was selected by the Tennessee Titans seventh overall in the 2024 NFL draft, becoming one of the highest-drafted offensive linemen in franchise history. He was immediately installed as the team’s starting left tackle, switching from the right tackle position he played in college. Latham started all 17 games of his rookie season, played on every offensive snap, and recorded three fumble recoveries, an unusual number for an offensive lineman.
During 2025 training camp, the Titans announced that Latham would move to right tackle, with free agent acquisition Dan Moore taking over at left tackle. The switch reflected the team’s confidence in Latham’s versatility and its strategy of fielding its two best offensive linemen at premium positions. As of 2025, he has appeared in 30 career NFL games with 30 starts and four fumble recoveries.
Driving Style and Strengths
Latham is recognized for his combination of size, length, and mobility, traits that allow him to handle both power rushers and speed-based edge defenders. His experience at both tackle spots gives the Titans flexibility in game planning and personnel groupings. Continued refinement of his hand technique and anchor strength remain the primary areas of focus for his ongoing development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Latham’s selection as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft stands as the defining milestone of his career to date. His 30 consecutive starts to open his professional career and his four fumble recoveries, a remarkable number for an offensive lineman, also highlight his early impact in Tennessee.
Jerome Latham Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Jerome Latham’s on-field value is measured in protection and run blocking rather than traditional win totals, so detailed victory counts are not applicable to his position.
Alabama Highlights
Latham’s most significant collegiate achievements came during the 2023 season, when he earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American recognition while starting all 13 games for the Crimson Tide. He also contributed as a rotational player during Alabama’s 2021 campaign and as a full-time starter in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
Latham’s selection to the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game as a high school senior underscored his status as a five-star recruit. His full 17-game start as a rookie with the Titans further demonstrated his durability and professional readiness.
Jerome Latham Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Jerome Latham’s parents and extended family are not publicly documented in available sources. His upbringing in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and his time at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha reflect a Midwestern family environment that supported his early athletic development.
Personal Life
Jerome Latham carries the nickname “Trench King,” a reference to his role along the offensive line. He was born in Meridian, Mississippi, and grew up in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Public details about a spouse, children, or marital status are not available at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Jerome Latham entered the 2025 season as a full-time starter for the Tennessee Titans following a rookie year in which he played every offensive snap. The Titans’ decision to move him to right tackle and bring in Dan Moore at left tackle signals a deliberate effort to maximize the line’s overall talent and balance.
Latham’s value to the Titans is rooted in his consistency, his pass protection, and his ability to open running lanes, areas in which he excelled throughout 2024. Continued strong play at right tackle is expected to anchor Tennessee’s offensive line and support the development of the team’s young quarterback.
Looking ahead, Latham’s combination of experience, athleticism, and professional polish positions him as a cornerstone of the Titans’ roster for years to come. His progression into one of the league’s most reliable young tackles remains the defining storyline of his 2025 campaign.
