Catholic Memorial's JC Latham on the cusp of an NFL dream
OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) -- On Jan. 3, 2024, JC Latham posted on his Instagram that he was declaring for the NFL Draft. Come Thursday, April 25, 114 days later, he expects to have a new home.
"Very very anxious but very proud. Very very proud," said JC's father Jerome.
Jerome played football himself growing up. Both of his sons JC and Langston took to the sport as early as the third grade and blossomed from there through the Oak Creek youth football leagues.
"Before I know it, instead of playing video games he's in the backyard working on his craft, training," said Jerome. "He had that drive. At an early age he knew what he wanted to do."
JC helped Catholic Memorial win a state title in 2018 as a sophomore. Following that season, Jerome says with the support of Catholic Memorial head coach Bill Young, the family made the decision to send JC to IMG Academy. There he switched to offensive line full time and became the top-ranked offensive lineman in the nation and the second-best player in the state of Florida.
"That right there kind of cemented the journey. We're on the right track," said Jerome about the support from Coach Young. "Let's make this happen. The rest is history."
JC gave himself the nickname 'Trench King' and he proved worthy of it in Alabama. In 408 offensive snaps, he only allowed two sacks in his career. Now he's on to the next part of his football journey.
"To play in the NFL is their dream," said Jerome of the prospects on the edge of an NFL call. "To see someone's dream come true, see the work that they put in, the blood, the sweat the tears, that's just the best feeling of you did it. I'm just trying to get myself ready because I know I'm going to break down."
The Latham family will be in Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft. Jerome says any team that calls JC's name is a blessing but adds it would be full circle if the Green Bay Packers call his name.
"Fifth grade we took him to Lambeau Field, and we did the tour of the Hall of Fame," said Jerome. "I opportunity behind Coach Lombardi's desk and JC and Langston was sitting right in front of the chairs you know so we were in his office and took some pictures and everything so that'll be crazy."
If you look at a variety of mock drafts, JC is slated to go anywhere from the Top 10 to the 20s. The Packers first round draft pick is at No. 25.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. and continues through the weekend.