USC's Lattimore Declares Early for the NFL Draft

USC running back and former Byrnes High handout Marcus Lattimore has given his body and soul to the Gamecocks. Now, as the star running back attempts to come back following a devastating knee injury earlier this season, Lattimore said Wednesday at a Williams-Brice Stadium press conference he will forego his remaining eligibility at USC and enter the 2013 NFL Draft.

"He's given everything, every bit of himself, to USC," said rabid USC fan Robbie DeLand from Mauldin. "I think I speak for all USC fans when I say we'll miss him and that we all love him. He was the classiest Gamecock of all time, and probably the greatest Gamecock of all time. But it's time for him to chase his reward and some NFL money. He's earned it. You can damn sure bet that whoever drafts him will become my new favorite team."

Clemson fan George Masterson of Greenville added: "Some Clemson students started a prayer chain for Marcus after he blew out his knee. We may not care for the Gamecocks, but a fine young man like him you can't help but like and want to root for in life. I wish him all the best in this world. Now he hopefully can go and terrorize some NFL defenses."

Once considered a first-round, can't-miss NFL prospect before devastating injuries last year and again this season, NFL draft analysts are unsure where the star running back may land in the draft.

Lattimore came back strong this year from a season-ending knee injury last year, only to suffer a far more serious and gruesome injury this season against the Tennessee Volunteers. In that October game, Lattimore dislocated his knee and tore several crucial ligaments. In the wake of the injury, many feared that the star back's playing days could be over for good.

Surgery to repair the injury was successful, however, and Lattimore is now off crutches and beginning the long process to rehab the knee.

A highly-touted recruit from Byrnes High School in Spartanburg County, Lattimore burst onto the scene quickly at the collegiate level. In just his second game for the Gamecocks, the six-foot, 218-pounder rushed 37 times for 182 yards leading Carolina to a win over Georgia. It was the first of four 100-yard rushing games on the season and the first of three in his career against the Bulldogs. 

He later set the school single-game record with 40 carries for 212 yards at Florida, as the Gamecocks clinched their first SEC Eastern Division title. He finished his first campaign with 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns, both freshman records at South Carolina. For his efforts, Lattimore was a unanimous choice for National Freshman of the Year. 

He was also the SEC Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the first-team All-SEC unit. He was a first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com and a second-team selection by Walter Camp.

The Duncan, S.C. product was headed toward a Heisman Trophy-type season in 2011. He logged three consecutive 100-yard rushing games to open the season, including a career-best 246-yard, three-touchdown effort in a win over Navy.

His season ended prematurely when he suffered a left knee injury in the win at Mississippi State in game seven. He finished the season with 818 yards on 163 carries, an average of 5.0 yards per carry. Despite playing in just seven games, he still earned second-team All-SEC accolades and was a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Lattimore worked extremely hard in the off-season rehabilitating his knee and was ready to take the field when the 2012 season got underway. He quickly erased any doubts about his comeback with a 23-carry, 110-yard, two-touchdown effort in the season opening win at Vanderbilt, which earned him SEC Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the fourth time in his career. 

Lattimore logged three 100-yard rushing games in 2012, including back-to-back efforts at Kentucky and versus Georgia. He was on his way to another 100-yard game against Tennessee when he suffered a season-ending right knee injury. He was named honorable mention All-SEC by the Associated Press.

Lattimore leaves as one of the Gamecock all-time greats. He finished his career with 2,677 rushing yards, sixth on Carolina's all-time list. He is the school record-holder in both rushing touchdowns (38) and touchdowns scored (41). He ranks fourth in rushing attempts (555), third in points scored (246 - most among non-kickers), and tied for second in 100-yard rushing games (11).