A data storage system includes a storage medium including a plurality of columns of memory cells, a storage controller coupled to the storage medium, and data path circuitry including a data bus coupled to the storage controller, the data bus configured to receive a plurality of bytes of data to be written to the plurality of columns of memory cells; a block of data latches having a pitch equal to a first number of bit lines of the plurality of columns of memory cells; and column redundancy circuitry configured to pass the plurality of bytes of data to the block of data latches via the plurality of columns in accordance with a nonconsecutive mapping scheme. The nonconsecutive mapping scheme includes mapping each group of three bytes to two columns by splitting one byte of each group of three bytes into two nibbles.