Michigan Football: 5 key targets for the Wolverines in 2021

4-star (Bradenton, FL) DE JC Latham

A product of the IMG Academy, one of the nation’s top football factories, Latham is the No. 10 strong-side defensive end in the class. Nationally, he is ranked as the No. 118 player overall and the 16th-best player in the state of Florida.

He is far from the quickest DE in the class but is a high-motor player. With some improvement to his technique, Latham could challenge for a three-down role early in his career. He is also a guy that 247 sports projects to one day by an NFL draft pick, so it would be a good get for the Wolverines on the defensive line.

At 6-foot-5.5 and 285 pounds, he certainly has the size to contribute immediately in college and that will also help him play early in Don Brown’s scheme if he can play well against the run, as well as rushing the passer.

Being recruited by Chris Partridge, it looks like Michigan, Oklahoma and Wisconsin are his top-three schools.

Michigan has seven projected defensive ends on their 2021 roster, compared to 16 for Oklahoma and eight for Wisconsin. This could end up playing in the Wolverines’ favor.