The Alabama Crimson Tide showed why they’re ranked No. 1 in the country on Saturday in their 2021 season opener, and a Utahn played a big role in that.

In the Crimson Tide’s 44-13 win over the 14th-ranked Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, former Olympus High star Cameron Latu caught two touchdowns at tight end in the second quarter — one from 9 yards out and the other from 25 — as Alabama opened up a 27-0 lead.

Latu finished the day with three receptions for 43 yards.

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In his postgame press conference, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked about Latu’s performance, and he noted how the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder arrived on campus in 2018 as an outside linebacker (although he did also play tight end at Olympus).

After a couple of seasons in which Latu didn’t play much, Saban took him aside last year and told him he thought he had a better chance of contributing at tight end because he has good hands, great size and is a good athlete.

Latu, now a junior, again didn’t do a whole lot last season, but he emerged during the offseason and then broke out Saturday.

“He bought into it,” Saban said of the position switch. “It’s taken a little bit of time for him to develop and feel comfortable and confident at the position, but I was encouraged, and I think the success that he had today will build confidence.”

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