Changes in Lathams recruitment
Four-star lineman Darius Latham narrowed his list of offers down to five schools in March, but as time has passed the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Latham feels he may have been too hasty in focusing on a smaller group of schools.
"I'm kind of just enjoying the process right now," Latham said this week. "I started off having early favorites, but that has been changing around and I spoke too fast."
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The schools Latham listed as early favorites were Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Wisconsin. As interest continues from more schools, though, Latham wants to keep an open mind.
"[Monday] at school, Florida, Oklahoma and Iowa came to my first period weight class to watch me work out," Latham said. "I guess they are not allowed to talk to us, so I just shook their hands and lifted weights."
Latham was a two-way player for North Central High School in Indianapolis this past fall. He has received college interest for both offensive tackle and defensive tackle, but strongly prefers the defensive side of the football.
"I actually have more offers for defense and I am going to play defense," Latham said. "I just started playing offense this season, and am surprised I got a lot of looks on offense. I'm not really comfortable with that position and not that passionate for that position."
Latham lists 16 scholarship offers, but received word from Mississippi State on Monday that the Bulldogs had strong interest in extending an offer. He wanted to follow up with their coaching staff first, however, before counting that as an official offer.
A standout on the basketball court as well as the gridiron, Latham's primary focus this spring has been on his AAU basketball team. That has prevented him from scheduling many college campus visits.
"Florida was actually my last visit," Latham said. "That was over spring break. I haven't been anywhere else since then.
"It would be good to get to a lot of schools that have offered me and check them out, but it is just having the time to do all this stuff that is the hardest thing right now. I don't have any visits planned."
Latham also does not have a planned timeline for making his college decision, and does not plan to set one.
"Whenever I feel like that school is the perfect match for me," Latham said. "It might be next week, tomorrow or a couple months."