JENKS, Okla. — Jenks standout and Arkansas target Brady Latham wants to be just like his dad - a Division I football player who earns a starting spot on a college offensive line early in his career and never lets go.
Latham (6-5, 290) is the son of former Oklahoma center Bob Latham, who started for the Sooners from from 1986-88 and was an All-Big Eight performer his junior season before a knee injury spoiled his senior season.
“He’s told me that when he went through it (the recruiting process) that it was a lot different,” Latham said. “But he says just to enjoy the process. He’s loved it. My whole family has enjoyed it and he just says to stick with it.”
Latham has offers from Arkansas, New Mexico and Utah State with interest from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and others.
The Razorbacks offer came on Aug. 21 after the Arkansas staff reviewed tape of his play in a preseason scrimmage.
“I was ecstatic,” Latham said. “Every time I have been down there, I’ve loved it. I love Arkansas. It is a great place. The people there are super nice. I just couldn’t be more happy about it.”
Latham admits that he has been close to committing to the Razorbacks, but is trying to make sure the decision is the right one.
“Right now, I have just been talking to friends and family, coaches and mentors and seeing what their advice is,” Latham said. “I have been very thankful, I’m loving the process and I’ll just go from there. I feel good about Arkansas."
Latham was asked if he was waiting on more offers to come in before making a pledge.
“No, not necessarily,” Latham said. “I am just talking it over and making sure I make the right decision because it is a big decision and I want to make it and love where I am at.”
He has a great relationship with the Arkansas coaches, especially Razorback offensive line coach Dustin Fry.
“I feel like we have a really good relationship,” Latham said. “Every time I talked to him, it has been awesome. We’ve texted each other, we’ve called each other.”
Latham has visited Fayetteville on several occasions, including for a junior day back in February.
“I love Arkansas,” Latham said. “Every time I have gone down there I have loved it and everything has been so nice, and I have had a great time.”
Jenks opened its season with a 35-14 home win over Mansfield, Texas, Legacy on Friday night.
Legacy has at least six Division I prospects, including Arkansas defensive tackle commit Enoch Jackson and another pair of Razorbacks targets in defensive end Taurean Carter (6-3, 260) and quarterback/safety Jalen Catalon (5-11, 192).
“We were excited,” Latham said. “They are a great team and have a lot of great athletes. We knew we were the underdog going into this game, so we worked hard all offseason, practiced hard all week and we came out and played good.”
Jenks and Union had shared the last 22 Class 6A titles before Owasso won last season.
“It’s a tradition at Jenks to win (state championships) and we wanted to get back to that,” Latham said. “We feel like we have the class to do it. We were ready to put that hard to good use.”
Latham has put on 40 pounds since last season ended.
“I worked really hard in the offseason to gain a lot of weight, but keep my feet good,” Latham said. “I gained that weight and I kept quick feet. But there are also things you can work on - building strength, get better with your hands.”