Tight end Camerson Latu — Alabama Athletics

2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama Tight End Cameron Latu

BamaCentral is taking a long look at each of the Crimson Tide's 15 football prospects who could hear their names called during the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City on April 27-29.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Apr 11, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

When Cameron Latu first joined Alabama football, his versatility and athleticism were strengths that coaches aimed to take advantage of in a variety of ways. His Crimson Tide career began as a linebacker, but he was also a natural on special teams.

Consequently, his first collegiate statistic came during his first game in the 2018 season opener against Louisville, on a special-teams tackle.

But then Latu redshirted and switched over to the offense and spent most of the next two seasons learning how to contribute in entirely new ways as a tight end (while continuing to play special teams).

It took until the 2021 season for him to land a starting job, and he responded by setting the Alabama record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with eight (topping Irv Smith Jr.'s seven in 2018). He also finished tied for seventh in the SEC for touchdown catches.

But without the same supporting cast, Latu couldn't replicate those numbers last season. He went from 26 catches for 410 yards in 2021, when he was third on the team in receiving yards behind 1,000-yard players Jameson Williams and John Metchie III, to 30 catches for 377 yards and four touchdowns in 2022.

Latu won a practice award at the Senior Bowl. He had three catches for 30 yards, the longest being 12 yards in the annual all-star game playing in Mobile, Ala.

Alabama Tight End Cameron Latu

NFL Combine/Workout Details

Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Cameron Latu (81) warms up before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. — Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

No. 81
Position: Tight end
Height: 6042
Weight: 242
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3238
Wing: 7928
40: 4.75
DOB: 2/24/2000
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
High School: Olympus

What's Being Said about Cameron Latu

Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Cameron Latu (81) runs the ball against Kansas State Wildcats safety Josh Hayes (1) during the second half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. — Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "High-hipped pass-catching tight end with run blocking fortitude to mold. Latu’s lean legs and angular frame aren’t made for drive blocking or neutralizing bigger players, but he does a nice job of sustaining move blocks in space. He changes route speed to open throwing windows over the first two levels. There are some issues with focus drops at times, but he plucks throws with good hand extension when possible. Latu could have roster appeal as an F tight end with an average ceiling."

NFL Draft Bible: "Latu hadn’t played more than 55 snaps at tight end at Alabama coming into the 2021 campaign, as he was a converted [linebacker]. Latu is an easy mover for his size, with very good athleticism. He is a fluid athlete, who does a fantastic job of getting in and out of his breaks. The natural ability to change direction is there with Latu, allowing him to create separation. Latu has good speed for the tight end position and can create yards after the catch when given opportunities.

BamaCentral Analysis

Cameron Latu — Photo | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Latu is one of those players in which certain people seem to really like, but he has terrible luck with this draft as his position group is absolutely loaded. Led by the likes of Dalton Kincaid (Utah), Michael Mayer (Notre Dame), Sam LaPorta (Iowa), Luke Musgrave (Oregon State), and Darnell Washington (Georgia), you're going to see some selected in the first round by teams aiming to exploit mismatches. That's likely going to knock Latu into day three.

Projection: Fifth Round