2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Sam Latham, DL, Texas State
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Sam Latham, #9 |
| School (Code) | TXST |
| Class Yr | 5th year Senior |
| Height, Weight | 6061e, 275e |
| 40 Yd Dash | N/A |
| Position/Depth | EDGE/1st |
| Honors/Captainship | N/A |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | @TXBA, @MSSO, @LASW, LANE |
| Scout Name / Date | Mike Bey 11/21/23 |
Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)
| 2023 | 6 GP, 6 GS, 15 Tkl, 6 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 QBH (suffered an undisclosed injury vs LANE) |
| 2022 | @TXIW 14 GP, 14 GS, 42 Tkl, 10 TFL, 4 Sacks, 1 FF |
| 2021 | @TXIW 11 GP, 28 Tkl, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 4 QBH |
| 2020 | @TXIW 6 GP, 14 Tkl, 1 FR, 1 QBH |
| 2019 | @TXIW 8 GP, 4 Tkl, 1 PBU, 2 QBH |
Player Summary:
5th YR SR and 1 yr full-time starter on the DL where he shows elite position versatility aligning in 0T,1T,3T,4i,5T,7T, Wide 9 and occasionally in a 2 pt stance in the 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 Nickel defense of TXST. He transferred from TXIW in 2023. He possesses very good height with marginal weight and a lean build. He is an average athlete showing solid lateral quickness and agility and average COD, balance, explosiveness, acceleration and play speed. He is solid against the pass. He shows average burst off the ball and displays good UOH delivering a well-timed punch to the frame of OT with ordinary length. He possesses a solid pass rush move repertoire consisting of a bull rush, long arm technique and rip. He shows good physical toughness and sufficient play strength as he disengages from OT with subpar flexibility. He exhibits solid lateral quickness and agility as he twists or crashes towards the A gap. He plays with solid closing speed in pursuit before finishing up with a sack or QBH. Against the run, he shows good FBI as he quickly reads run/pass. If left unblocked, he plays with solid range and instincts as he takes the correct angle in pursuit. He shows solid form tackling ability as he makes the tackle on RB with subpar play speed behind the LOS for a TFL. He exhibits above-average mental toughness as he elevates his play near the goal line. He plays with a good motor as he plays until the whistle consistently. He exhibits below-average hip and ankle flexion which prevents him from getting under the pads of OT who bend at the knee. He displays ordinary counter ability as he struggles to consistently counter if stalemated at the LOS. He plays at a mediocre pad level against the run which enables flexible OL to win the leverage battle at the POA.
Scheme Fit:
EDGE in 4-3
Power Statement:
Intelligent, versatile, mentally tough player who is solid against the run and pass. He struggles to play at a low pad level consistently which leads to flexible OL winning the leverage battle.