Alabama TE Cameron Latu Goes in Third Round of NFL Draft to San Francisco 49ers

Latu is the first Alabama tight end drafted since 2019.

Alabama Athletics

Another Alabama football player is off the board as tight end Cameron Latu was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Latu, who spent five seasons with the Crimson Tide, was drafted 101st  overall by the San Francisco 49ers. Last season, Latu had 30 catches for 377 yards and four touchdowns. With the selection, he becomes the first Alabama tight end to be drafted since Irv Smith Jr. was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019.

Latu's better season was his 2021 season in terms of catching, but the best trait about Latu is that he was a consistent Target for Bryce Young.

The 49ers already have George Kittle, so Latu will spend the early part of his NFL career as a backup. But it is also an opportunity for Latu to work on other areas of his game, like blocking.

San Francisco is one of the few teams in the NFL without any former Alabama players. 

Latu becomes the eighth Alabama player taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, joining Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr., Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, Tyler Steen, Byron Young and Jordan Battle. 

Alabama Tight End Cameron Latu

NFL Combine/Workout Details

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

No. 81
Position: Tight end
Height: 6042
Weight: 242
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3238
Wing: 7928
40: 4.75
DOB: 2/24/2000
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
High School: Olympus

What's Being Said about Cameron Latu

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "High-hipped pass-catching tight end with run blocking fortitude to mold. Latu’s lean legs and angular frame aren’t made for drive blocking or neutralizing bigger players, but he does a nice job of sustaining move blocks in space. He changes route speed to open throwing windows over the first two levels. There are some issues with focus drops at times, but he plucks throws with good hand extension when possible. Latu could have roster appeal as an F tight end with an average ceiling."

NFL Draft Bible: "Latu hadn’t played more than 55 snaps at tight end at Alabama coming into the 2021 campaign, as he was a converted [linebacker]. Latu is an easy mover for his size, with very good athleticism. He is a fluid athlete, who does a fantastic job of getting in and out of his breaks. The natural ability to change direction is there with Latu, allowing him to create separation. Latu has good speed for the tight end position and can create yards after the catch when given opportunities. 

BamaCentral Analysis

Photo | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Latu is one of those players in which certain people seem to really like, but he has terrible luck with this draft as his position group is absolutely loaded. Led by the likes of Dalton Kincaid (Utah), Michael Mayer (Notre Dame), Sam LaPorta (Iowa), Luke Musgrave (Oregon State), and Darnell Washington (Georgia), you're going to see some selected in the first round by teams aiming to exploit mismatches. That's likely going to knock Latu into day three. 

Projection: Fifth Round