Cameron Latu 2023 NFL Draft Profile
The SEC just puts out the best players year after year, don’t they? Stack their players against *most* other conferences, and you get the plus player from the SEC. Alabama’s Cameron Latu is a very intriguing tight end in this stacked class, and compared to others in the class it isn’t close. What does his NFL Draft profile look like? Let’s talk about it.
Cameron Latu was a four-star recruit in the 2019 class, the seventh-ranked tight end. In his freshman year, he played in nine games, but was not a part of the passing game. The same can be said in 2020, with six games played. It wasn’t until 2021 that we saw Latu get involved in the offense, catching 26 passes for 409 yards and eight touchdowns. Last season for the Crimson Tide, in ten games he caught 25 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns.
Latu sat out of the combine after tweaking his hamstring just before the event. If you want to read the full Tight End notes, click here.
I think the small sample size from Latu is misleading. He played on teams with DeVonta Smith, John Metchie, Jaylen Waddle, Jameson Williams and others. He would never be the focal point, and was mostly used as a red zone threat, thanks to his great ability to highpoint the ball. On the snap, he’s got that twitch you want to beat the press and get a clean release. He’s shifty enough to move safeties. I also like him in the blocking game as well, he’s got good initial pop to him.
Cameron Latu has to put some meat on those legs — leg day must be a priority in the NFL. His drops are also a concern. His footwork on routes with cuts could use some sharpening. The awareness to sit-in zone coverage will come when he gets into an NFL camp, I’m not too concerned about that but it is a flag we must address.
I kind of like Latu. I think he’s got the tools to develop into an above average maybe even a plus starter at the next level. I know Alabama isn’t known for producing top-tier tight-end talent, but maybe that ends here. I’d still give Latu a day-three grade, but someone to target in the fourth round of the draft.
