:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5131044/136346041.jpg)
I scoured for information on Chikwe Obasih and Darius Latham at Nike's The Opening over the weekend, but paywalls are a pain and national analysts apparently had bigger fish to fry. 247Sports had some scouting information on Wisconsin's two biggest commitments for 2013, but weren't willing to give any of it away for free outside of this grainy photo of Latham in a Wisconsin hat. Latham did perform well enough to bubble up on the national radar a few times elsewhere, however.
Mike Farrell at Rivals.com tabbed Latham as one of the best defensive performers on Friday.
Some think Latham will be an offensive lineman at Wisconsin, but he was very good as a defensive tackle on Friday. And despite his tall frame he can play low and with good leverage. He also gets off the snap quickly and dips his shoulder well when he gets a step on his opponent to take the most direct route to the target.
Chris Nee reiterated the same rumblings about a switch to the offensive line. Despite his 6'5 frame, Latham apparently had no problem with leverage, however.
I understand why some think Darius Latham can be an OT - long arms and good feet. But long-term, I think he can be a really good DL.
— Chris Nee (@RivalsCNee) July 8, 2012
Finally, Madison.com had a nice profile on Latham discussing how his talents on the basketball court have translated to the football field. Latham played AAU ball and was hoping to pick up scholarship offers for hoops. Growth spurts being what they are, he is now much better suited for the gridiron. Latham's assistant high school coach Taj Darby said that the big man still moves incredibly well for his size.
"He's a dancing bear, he has nifty feet," Darby said.
"Basketball has helped Darius tremendously. It's kept him in shape ... facing some of the best basketball players in the country ... he has went to AAU tournaments, traveling all across the country and guarding these guys."
All good signs that Wisconsin may have something special in their latest commit.
Links after the jump:
Week 1 preview of Northern Iowa. Adam Rittenberg gives Wisconsin an 84 percent chance of winning, which is totally a backhanded insult.
Athlon Sports ranks Wisconsin's receiving corps No. 3 in the Big Ten, behind Nebraska and Northwestern.
Mike Eaves mentored three of the biggest NHL free agency signings of the offseason.
Urban Meyer dismissed Storm Klein from the Ohio State football team after the linebacker was arrested on domestic violence charges.
Via EDSBS: Your BCS team as a drug.
WISCONSIN: Beer, the kind that makes you pass out and die in snowdrifts after beating the dogshit out of someone in a barfight.
No argument there.
Wrapping up: The worst college football team pride videos.