DT Darius Latham to Forego Senior Year and Enter NFL Draft

Darius Latham will enter the NFL draft after his junior season. Image: IndyStar.com

IU Media Relations

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana junior defensive tackle Darius Latham announced Wednesday that he has elected to forego his senior season and declared for the 2016 NFL Draft.
 
En route to honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition, Latham posted 33 tackles, four sacks (T-2nd on the team) and 10 tackles for loss in 11 games this season. He collected his first career interception in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Duke and shared seventh nationally with two blocked kicks.
 
Below is Latham's statement:
 
"Playing in the NFL has been a dream of mine, and I will put in the work and effort to make this dream come true. 
 
Thank you to my parents and my family for their assistance during this process. Your prayers and support mean everything to me. You will always serve as my motivation, and without you I would not be in the position I am in right now.
 
I am especially thankful for the opportunity to have played and learned from Coach Wilson. He and the coaching staff not only made me a better player, but were focused on me as a complete person. I would also like to thank Coach Hill and the strength and conditioning team for helping me to get stronger and faster, and Christa Sist in Academics for keeping me focused and on top of my work.  
 
I chose IU over other colleges because it was home, and I believed in what we could build here. We accomplished some good things and I will miss playing with my family, especially my D-line brothers. Indiana University is a special place and I am grateful to be a Hoosier for life. Go IU!"
 
The Indianapolis native and North Central High School graduate recorded at least one TFL in seven games this year, including a career-best three in the Hoosiers week four win at Wake Forest. His efforts helped Indiana to its first 4-0 start since 1990.
 
Latham closed out his career with 81 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, one interception, seven pass breakups and two blocked kicks in 35 games.