| # | 26 |
|---|---|
| Name | Monteze Latimore |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Position | Defensive Back |
| Current Team | Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns |
| Past Teams | Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns |
| Leagues | German Football League |
| Seasons | 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| Age | 31 |
Monteze Latimore is an elite US-American defensive back and a central, highly impactful cornerstone of the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns’ defense in the German Football League (GFL). Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, this playmaking machine has become one of the most dominant secondary players in Europe since his de facto debut in 2021. Known for his exceptional athleticism, field vision, and leadership, Latimore is the kind of defensive difference-maker that anchors a championship-caliber team.
The Unicorns have successfully re-signed the veteran DB for the 2026 season, which will mark his sixth year in the green jersey, a testament to his value and consistency. Despite a rocky path to the Unicorns’ roster—including an initial eligibility snag due to a CFL preseason appearance and a subsequent season lost to the COVID-19 pandemic—Latimore’s eventual arrival and stellar play have more than paid off. With a spectacular 2023 campaign that permanently cemented his reputation as one of the GFL’s premier talents, Latimore continues to provide the stability, routine, and game-changing plays that are crucial to the Unicorns’ continued success as a German Football League powerhouse.
Previous stations
- **Cleveland NJROTC High School, St. Louis, MO, USA:** Played football (wide receiver and defensive back) and was a three-time state qualifier in wrestling and four-year letterwinner in baseball.
- **University of Central Missouri (NCAA Division II), Warrensburg, MO, USA (2013–2017):** Redshirted in 2013; played four seasons (2014–2017) as a Defensive Back/Safety for the Mules.
- **Ottawa Redblacks (CFL), Canada (2019):** Brief appearance in a CFL preseason game.
- **Helsinki Roosters, Finland (2019):** Defensive Back.
- **Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Germany (2021, 2023–Present):** Defensive Back. (Missed 2019 due to eligibility rules and 2020 due to the pandemic; took a voluntary football break in 2022).
Achievements
Team Achievements
- **Finnish Champion (2019):** Title won with the Helsinki Roosters.
- **Five-Time German Football League (GFL) Champions:** Member of the Unicorns, who are five-time German champions. (Specific championship wins during his tenure with the team were not explicitly listed in the context, but the Unicorns are a multi-time champion team).
- **All-Europe First Team Defensive Back (2021):** Selected by American Football International (AFI) as the best defensive back in Europe.
- **University of Central Missouri Single-Season Record:** Holds the school record for most pass breakups in a single season (16, in 2017).
- **University of Central Missouri Career Record:** Holds the school record for career pass breakups (33).
- **All-Conference / All-State Selection (High School):** Two-time selection at Cleveland NJROTC High School.
Selected Statistics
- His breakout 2023 season featured **104 total tackles**, leading to his establishment as a dominant defensive back in the league.
- In the 2023 season, he recorded **11 interceptions**, leading the league in this category.
- He returned **4 interceptions for touchdowns** during his 2023 campaign.
- In 2023, he also tallied **2 sacks** from the defensive back position.
- During the 2024 season, he recorded **66 tackles** and **5 interceptions**.
- His 2025 season included **26 tackles** and **4 interceptions**.
- In his 2021 GFL season, he finished **second in the league for interceptions** and **first in passes defended**.
- At the University of Central Missouri, he amassed a total of **176 tackles** and **13 interceptions** over his four-year career.
Other
- **Hometown:** St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
- **Family Background:** His parents are Melvin and Shantela Latimore.
- **Delayed Unicorns Debut:** Latimore was originally meant to join the Unicorns in 2019. However, a rule oversight regarding his participation in a CFL preseason game made him ineligible for the GFL that season, forcing him to leave Germany briefly and play in Finland instead. He was also re-signed for the 2020 season, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, making his 2021 season his successful third attempt to join the team.
- **Brief Pause:** He voluntarily took a break from football for the 2022 season for personal reasons before returning “impressively” in 2023.
- **Unicorns Quote on his Value:** Head Coach Jordan Neuman has previously stated they consider Monteze a **”special player”** who will be **”great for our Program both on and off the field,”** which is why the team **”stuck with Monteze through all of that”** (referring to the initial eligibility issues).
- **Community Involvement:** He was scheduled to lead a “Class Meeting” for the Frankfurt Universe U19 team in early 2025, to teach them about defense and pass defense, showing his willingness to share his knowledge with younger players.
- **Physical Attributes:** He is noted for his **4.4-second 40-yard dash speed** from his time at the University of Central Missouri.
