J.C. Latham Prepares for First NFL Season with All-Pro Guidance

J.C. Latham, set to debut in his first professional game on Saturday, had the opportunity to train with his mentor, Trent Williams. Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowl left tackle, is currently holding out for a better contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Latham, who played right tackle for Alabama in 2022 and 2023, was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft on April 25. He is now listed as the starting left tackle on the Titans' 2024 depth chart.

To prepare for his new role, Latham spent a transformative week this summer with Williams, whom he regards as the "best lineman in the game."

"One of the biggest takeaways was how candid he was about his mistakes," Latham said on Sunday. "He wasn’t arrogant, despite being the best. He was very aware of what he needed to improve. We watched film of him against Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. It was eye-opening to see how he critiqued himself on every little detail. At the peak of the game, you’re always striving to be better, and that was a surreal moment for me in the film room.

"His training regimen was also incredible. He did a super set of pull-ups – four sets of 10. I’m 350 pounds, and he’s around 340 or 335, but he did those pull-ups effortlessly. It was impressive to see his intensity and willingness to go the distance no matter what."

The Titans, coming off their worst season since 2015, are aiming to bolster their offensive line. In 2023, Tennessee quarterbacks were sacked 64 times. The team is pairing Latham with Peter Skoronski, the 11th pick in the 2023 draft, to protect QB Will Levis, the 33rd pick in 2023, for the 2024 season.

"Right now, he’s focusing on the nuances and details of his position," said Tennessee offensive-line coach Bill Callahan. "There are always new challenges for rookies, so we’re giving him as much exposure as possible to accelerate his progress. He’s handling it well, though it’s mentally taxing to absorb all the play installations, protections, and techniques."

Latham emphasized the importance of "seeing the whole field."

"There are more intangibles than in college," Latham said. "You have to focus on the cadence and pay attention to the defense. Every play has specific rules depending on the defense, so you need to understand every detail. Then, there’s your get-off and technique. It’s about seeing everything and putting it together."

Improving agility has been a key focus for Latham since joining Tennessee.

"My main goal was to get lighter on my feet," Latham said. "At 350 pounds, people think you can’t move well. I wanted to change that narrative. I never feel like I’m good enough to stop mastering my craft, so I work on ladders and explosive movements daily to ensure my feet match my strength."

The Titans will kick off their three-game preseason schedule against the 49ers at 6 p.m. CDT on Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

"It’s a dream come true," Latham said. "But I take it day by day. We have meetings and walk-throughs tonight, so I’m staying focused on what’s happening right now."