Alabama’s defensive front has already taken its share of hits in 2025, but fall camp has brought a different kind of storyline: two injured defenders are back, and both look like they’re moving well.
Defensive tackle Jeremiah Beaman and Wolf linebacker Jah-Marien Latham have returned to the field after separate setbacks, and both appear to be full participants as Alabama works through camp in Tuscaloosa.
Latham’s comeback is especially notable because of how long he has been around. Entering his sixth year at Alabama, the veteran linebacker is the program’s longest-tenured player and was part of the 2020 National Championship roster. Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack had plenty to say about him after Alabama’s third practice of fall camp on Friday.
"Zeebo, from Day 1 when I got here, just naturally there's guys that become some of your favorites," Wommack said on Friday after Alabama's third practice of fall camp. "I love his work ethic.
He wants to become a coach one day, he operates that way. He's got great maturity.
"And then, what's amazing in the first three days is how quickly he's adapted back to the fundamentals of football. You watch him in a six-technique drill and he's kicking a- right now. Awesome to have him back and he's worked really, really hard to get himself back in position to do that."
Latham, 24, has played in 44 games over six seasons and has put up 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Most of that recent work has come at Wolf, though he has also lined up at Bandit and even inside as an interior defensive lineman in passing situations.
His most productive season came in 2024, when he finished with 27 tackles, including two for loss for minus-9 yards, one sack for minus-8 yards, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. He started 11 of his 12 appearances that year.
Beaman’s path back has been different, but just as important for Alabama’s defensive line. The junior has not logged much game action in his career, appearing in only three games as a freshman while recording two tackles and a quarterback hurry. At 6-foot-4 and 301 pounds, he was expected to push for a bigger role in 2025 before the injury changed the picture.
Now healthy again, the Birmingham native has become one of the more encouraging comeback stories in camp. On Thursday, he was the first player through defensive line drills and worked ahead of two transfers during the reps.
Wommack pointed to the work it took for Beaman to get back.
"He's worked really, really hard to get himself back," Wommack said of Beaman. "And you think about it, knee injuries are hard for anybody, but when you're talking about a big frame like that - a big body - to be able to put himself into a position where he can pound, move, shift and all that stuff. And then, obviously you're going to get 600 pounds of double teams on you.
"So there's a lot of work and effort to get to that position where that knee can be healthy and stable. I make no bones about it, Jeff Allen and his staff are the best in the world at what they do.
Our guys have done a really good job, but Beaman's in a really good place right now. I'm proud of him."
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