Harold Lathers up the Vols

LSU and Tennessee square off Saturday in Atlanta to determine the SEC crown. Tennessee thought it would be nice to get a quick recruiting jab to the LSU kidney right before kickoff. Phil Fulmer and Co. dipped into Louisiana and snagged 6-1, 195 lb linebacker Harold Lathers.

Amidst the swirling rumors in Baton Rouge of a Les Miles departure and a Steve Spurrier arrival, Harold Lathers decided to get out of town. The Baton Rouge native (Istrouma HS) made himself the 12th commitment for the 2008 Tennessee Vol recruiting class (not counting Brandon Warren and Demitrice Morley). Lathers chose Tennessee over Tulane, Ole Miss, Stanford and Baylor.

Lathers has great instincts and is most likely a weak side linebacker. He has great closing speed and quickness. Once he zeros in on the ball-carrier he gets there in a hurry. Lathers is definitely an athlete with the ability to be a solid contributor on special teams in terms of blocking kicks.

My one spot of concern is his overall lack of size and power. He has a wiry, rangy frame that would allow for him to put on weight, which he will have to do if he expects to start at Tennessee. Not only that but big offensive guards and tackles will get the better of him at the point of attack due to his lack of power. He is a solid tackler but can get overwhelmed at times because he is so small. His range and cover skills are still a bit of a question mark too but he does have the speed and athleticism to develop those abilities through good coaching. Too bad no one in the Tennessee secondary gets any coaching.

Lathers is much in the mold of a Tommy Tuberville linebacker. Tommy likes his players on defense to be smaller but faster. He prefers an attacking, aggressive style. Attacking the line of scrimmage is certainly Lathers strength.