Jah-Marien Latham’s Return Gives Alabama’s Defense a Veteran Boost Where It Needed It Most
For a defense that already looks stacked heading into 2026, Alabama had one glaring question mark: depth at the Wolf linebacker spot. With Qua Russaw and Noah Carter both exiting via the transfer portal, the cupboard was looking a little bare.
The only sure things in that room were Yhonzae Pierre and Justin Hill - talented, yes, but light on experience. That changed in a big way on Wednesday.
Veteran Jah-Marien Latham is officially returning for a seventh season in Tuscaloosa. After an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, Latham has been granted a medical redshirt, giving him one last ride with the Crimson Tide. And make no mistake - this is a big deal for Alabama’s defense.
Latham’s 2025 season was cut short almost before it began. He suffered a lower-body injury in the season-opening loss to Florida State, which sidelined him for the next two games.
But it was a serious neck injury during practice ahead of the Georgia game that ended his season for good. He was taken by ambulance to UAB, and the outlook at the time was uncertain - not just for his season, but for his college career.
Given that Latham had already used a standard redshirt and the extra COVID year from 2020, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer wasn’t sure if another year of eligibility would be possible. But the medical redshirt came through, and now the Tide get back their most seasoned player - and the final remaining member of Alabama’s last national title team.
That kind of experience is hard to quantify, but it’s even harder to replace.
A Veteran Presence in a Key Role
Latham’s return brings a stabilizing force to a position group that needed it. He made the move to the Wolf linebacker role last offseason, and that’s where he’s expected to stay. At 6-foot-3 and over 280 pounds, he’s a big body for that spot - someone who can set the edge and hold up against the run, which is especially valuable in the SEC.
But what makes Latham so valuable isn’t just his size or his experience. It’s his versatility.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has the option to slide him down to the Bandit spot or even kick him inside to defensive tackle if needed. That kind of flexibility gives Alabama some serious options up front.
It also opens things up for freshman phenom Xavier Griffin. The five-star recruit now has a chance to move around and learn multiple roles, much like Jihaad Campbell did before him. With Latham anchoring one side, Griffin can develop without being thrown directly into the fire.
Plugging the Final Hole
Heading into spring, the Wolf linebacker room was the one spot on Alabama’s defense that didn’t feel fully settled. That’s no longer the case. With Latham back in the mix, the Tide not only get a proven leader - they get a player who’s seen just about everything college football has to offer.
For a team with championship aspirations, that matters. Latham isn’t just a returning body.
He’s a tone-setter. A locker room presence.
A guy who’s been through the grind and come out the other side.
And now, after a long road back, he gets the chance to finish his career on his own terms - right where it started, in crimson and white.