Zach Osterman

zach.osterman@indystar.com

Indiana's offense won't be the only unit damaged by the draft this offseason.

In the same week running back Jordan Howard declared for the NFL draft, Indiana teammate and defensive lineman Darius Latham has followed suit. Latham, a former North Central High School standout, will forego his fourth and final season of eligibility to try his hand in the pros.

IU made the announcement on Wednesday.

"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," Latham said in an Indiana press release. "I am especially thankful for the opportunity to have played and learned from (IU coach Kevin) Wilson. He and the coaching staff not only made me a better player, but were focused on me as a complete person."

An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection this year, Latham had 33 tackles and four sacks in 10 games this season, missing three games over two different suspensions during nonconference play.

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He was originally part of a 2013 recruiting class heralded as perhaps the best in Indiana history. Alongside several other well-regarded Indianapolis-area prospects — including Antonio Allen, David Kenney and Chase Dutra — Latham said he chose Indiana to help turn his in-state program into a more consistent winner.

"I chose IU over other colleges because it was home, and I believed in what we could build here," Latham said in the release. "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."

That class has enjoyed mixed success so far in college. Dutra turned into a regular starter at safety, when healthy, and Latham anchored IU's interior line this season.

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But Kenney transferred to Illinois State after two seasons, and Allen was dismissed this summer following his arrest on drug charges.

According to the website NFL Draft Scout, Latham is rated the No. 31 defensive tackle nationally, but it's unclear where his current draft stock stands. He finishes his IU 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.

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

Statement from Latham provided by the university