The Nittany Lions[apos] defensive ends are expected to be productive and reliable and deliver big plays. Redshir t junior Kevion Latham continues to make ver y good progress and has demonstrated the ability to make big plays when given the oppor tunity. He recorded 4.0 tackles for losses among his eight stops last year as his ef for ts in practice and the weight room continued to pay of f. A quick athlete with good size, skills and intelligence, Latham should have an oppor tunity to play a more sig- nificant role for the defense in 2010. He likely will join Jack Crawford, Eric Latimore and Sean Stanley in a talented defensive end rotation. A two-time first-team all-state honoree at Walter Hines Page HS, Latham is one of the squad[apos]s top students. The Dean[apos]s List student ear ned Academic All-Big Ten honors last year. Latham brought a 3.56 cumulative grade-point average into the spring semes- ter and is a potential ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® candidate. He is on schedule to ear n his degree in finance in December, in 3 ½ years. Latham is one of three retur ning Nittany Lions from Nor th Carolina.
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2009 Junior Season
Playing in ever y game on defense and special teams, Latham recorded 4.0 tackles for losses
(minus-14 yards) among his eight tackles. He also had 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble, as a top
reser ve at defensive end. He recorded his first career sack in the 34-13 win at Nor thwester n and
had minus-yardage hits against Ohio State and Easter n Illinois. He made a career-high three stops
against the Panthers and assisted on a sack in the season-opening win over Akron. Latham saw
action on 101 snaps in 2009, led by 17 against Easter n Illinois and 14 each in the Michigan and
Temple games.
2008 Sophomore Season
Latham was the top reserve to Josh Gaines and played in eight games on defense and special teams, recording three tackles. He made stops against Coastal Carolina, Temple and in the Big Ten-clinching win over Michigan State. Latham saw action on 80 snaps, led by 15 against Oregon State.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. He made four tackles, with a sack, in the 2008 Blue-White game.
High School
Latham was a three-year starter for coaches Bob Via and Kevin Gillespie at Walter Hines Page HS. He earned all-state and all-conference honors during his junior and senior seasons. A team captain, Latham was named all-area and all-county after his senior season. He also was named student-athlete of the year and the most valuable senior. He recorded 107 tackles, with 22 sacks as a senior. Latham totaled 241 stops and 95 sacks during his outstanding prep career. He participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas featuring the top players from North Carolina against South Carolina.
Personal
Full name is Kevion Lamar Latham. He is the son of Walter and Sherry Latham and has a brother, Michael, and a sister, Destiny. In his spare time, Latham enjoys lifting weights, hanging out with friends and being with his family. Latham is a finance major in the Smeal College of Business. He compiled a 3.85 grade-point average during the 2009 spring semester to again earn Dean[apos]s List recognition. He owned a 3.63 GPA entering the summer session. Born April 14, 1989 in Williamston, N.C.