There is no doubt that first-round pick JC Latham is going to be the starting left tackle for the Tennessee Titans. If legendary offensive line coach Bill Callahan says it, it must be so.
Latham has no fear of failure as he prepares for the opportunity.
"Honestly, you know you’re going to make the mistakes and you know there’s going to be a learning curve,” said Latham after Tennessee’s first rookie minicamp practice last week. “You’ve just got to appreciate it because failure is the best teacher. As Coach Callahan said today in meetings, you shouldn’t run from failure. You shouldn’t be timid and be scared to make mistakes. If you make a mistake, make it full-speed and then learn from it and don’t let it happen again.”
Unclear as to whether the Callahan referred to in meetings was Bill or his son, Brian, the Titans new head coach.
Latham’s transition from right tackle, where he started 41 games for the Alabama Crimson Tide at to left began this past week. Tennessee held its rookie minicamp with 2024 draft picks, tryouts and undrafted free agents. Latham, 6-6 and 342 lbs, is being counted on to win the job at left and resolve a problem that has plagued the Titans offense for years.
Tennessee quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis and Malik Willis were sacked 64 times in 2023 behind a woeful Titans offensive line.
Former left tackle Andre Dillard allowed 41 total quarterback pressures in only 12 games last year. A former first-round draft choice himself, Dillard was waived after one season with the Titans after signing a three-year, $29 million deal. Dillard was benched on three separate occasions and was utterly inept on the left side of the line to the tune of 12 sacks, nine quarterback hits and 20 hurries according to Pro Football Focus.
The senior Callahan has no questions that Latham can get up to speed in time to make a difference for Tennessee this year.
“No. 1 is (Latham’s) athleticism,” Callahan said of his confidence in the seventh overall pick’s ability to flip sides. “And then, of course, all of the measurable traits that he has. Then you add in size, power, strength and it adds up to making that move. I think if you have the athleticism and you have the strength and you have the muscle memory to change some skill sets, I think it’s doable.”
Latham made 27 consecutive starts in three seasons at Alabama.
He allowed just two sacks in 408 pass sets in 2023. Titans general manager prioritized the offensive line room this offseason drafting Latham and signing center Lloyd Cushenberry III in free agency. Tennessee also added guard Saahdiq Charles to the roster and traded a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for tackle Leroy Watson.
With Levis heading into a critical Year 2 as the team's starter, Latham's success or failure on his new quarterback's blindside will impact the trajectory of the entire season.
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