Report: South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore decides to go pro

South Carolina Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore (21) is carted off the field after being injured against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. (Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports)

The greatest scorer in the history of the South Carolina football program has decided to forgo any remaining collegiate eligibility and will enter the 2013 NFL Draft, according to Joe Schad of ESPN.

On October 27, Lattimore took a Tennessee Volunteers helmet to his knee, suffering one of the most gruesome and damaging knee injuries sports fans had seen since Willis McGahee of Miami. Soon after the injury was sustained, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier had announced that Lattimore would most likely take a medical redshirt in order to be ready to play for his squad again in 2014.

However, Lattimore has reportedly been rehabbing his knee vigorously, and he believes focusing exclusively on one singular task — making an NFL roster — will help aid him in his recovery efforts. That, along with working entirely with the doctors of an NFL team, are what Lattimore sees as the clearest path towards the fastest recovery possible.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Lattimore has seemingly been NFL-ready since he finished high school. He has reportedly spoken with McGahee, as well as other NFL backs that have suffered severe knee injuries, including Frank Gore and Eddie George.

Lattimore is reportedly on schedule in his rehab and is already off of crutches. After speaking with such NFL talents, he believes the best way to have as long of a career as possible in the NFL is to be ready for the league as soon as possible.

He expects to be able to catch passes and jog come March, when the NFL world picks apart every aspect of every potential draft pick at the NFL combine.

Further, he has Spurrier’s blessing to move along in his efforts to reach his dream of playing professional football.

Lattimore has rushed for 2,677 yards with 38 touchdowns in his illustrious career, including 662 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

He is a homegrown talent that decided to stay in-state and play for the Gamecocks. He has received an outpouring of support since sustaining the brutal injury, including his birthday being officially announced as “Marcus Lattimore Day” in the state of South Carolina.

We at Gamedayr wish the star back a healthy and full recovery, and we hope to see him tearing up the NFL soon.

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