Local news says Lattimore is going to the NFL

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by Carolina4Life

How can he be drafted when he won't be able to play a year after being drafted? Let him pratice, sit and go through rehab here then go for the 14 draft. Just doesn't make good sense.

An NFL GM will be betting the year of rehab will net them better returns in the future. If you're confident he will return and you need a rb, I don't see how you'd pass it up. If it works out you get a great player. If it doesn't, then you used probably a mid-round pick on a risk and it's no different than using a pick on a guy that doesn't pan out because he isn't good enough.

[OLDCHARLESTONIAN]

Originally Posted by markymark550

An NFL GM will be betting the year of rehab will net them better returns in the future. If you're confident he will return and you need a rb, I don't see how you'd pass it up. If it works out you get a great player. If it doesn't, then you used probably a mid-round pick on a risk and it's no different than using a pick on a guy that doesn't pan out because he isn't good enough.

True, but look at it on the side of Lattimore. He'll get drafted mid-round, no doubt about it. No team will take that risk/reward on a first, second, or even third round when there are other, healthy players available. If/when he's draft mid-round, I don't think he'll be looking at a lot of dollars.

I just think that it would be the smarter decision for Lattimore to finish his degree, and medical redshirt, and play that final year.

Whatever his decision, it's his to make. One of my favorite players that have ever played for the university. I'll be rooting for whatever team that drafts him, unless they are playing my New Orleans Saints.

[92Pony]

Originally Posted by The Yancey

I'll be an automatic fan of whatever team drafts him.

^^^This!^^^

[SpecOps Cock]

Man i cant wait to watch Latti on sundays !!!

[bigdawg77]

I'm good with Atlanta taking the risk in round 3.

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by OLDCHARLESTONIAN

True, but look at it on the side of Lattimore. He'll get drafted mid-round, no doubt about it. No team will take that risk/reward on a first, second, or even third round when there are other, healthy players available. If/when he's draft mid-round, I don't think he'll be looking at a lot of dollars.

I just think that it would be the smarter decision for Lattimore to finish his degree, and medical redshirt, and play that final year.

Whatever his decision, it's his to make. One of my favorite players that have ever played for the university. I'll be rooting for whatever team that drafts him, unless they are playing my New Orleans Saints.

Taking a medical redshirt and playing his senior year takes away two years of earning potential. NFL running backs tend to have a smaller window to maximize their free agent contracts, so why would he want to lose those two years?

[nodnahs]

His work ethic & pre injury skill level will get him in the NFL, not sure he will make the 2013 draft just because of the time span of rehab, but Latti will get a shot & it would not surprise me if he declared for the '13 draft & a team draft him 3-6 round & then give him another yr to rehab.. He's worth it, talent/person, someone will take a chance on his future..

[pimpingamecock]

Hope the packers get him.

[a24gmcks]

So at this point we are for sure that #21 will declare?

[HeadCockFan]

Originally Posted by USC Paratrooper

Really wish he could have left with a heisman

Had he never been injured, there's no doubt he would have.

[CockyInSeattle]

I'd love to see him back, but he's already done more than enough for The USC. I will always be a Marcus Lattimore fan. Not only is he an amazing talent on the field, he is an amazing man off the field. Do what any good man on here would do, and take care of your immediate family first. Your larger family will always be there for you.

[Spurrier Fan]

That makes me sad and happy at the same time. As great as it would have been to have him come back in 2014 and have a great full season, I'm glad he's not. There would be no way to be sure he wouldn't suffer another serious injury, and no one could bare to see that happen again. Let's be honest, if he came back no one would be able to fully enjoy him because we would have been holding our breathe every time he touched the ball.

It's definitely in his best interest to leave. He has done so much for South Carolina. Starting with the moment he put that cap on. He was the spark that helped South Carolina turn the corner. I will continue to pray for a full recovery for him, and that he makes it big in the NFL and becomes a role model for an even bigger audience outside of South Carolina.

[b381l]

This is definitely the right thing for him to do, but there is no way he will be drafted this year. From what I've read, the rehab is at least a year but probably 18 months. So he won't be able to fully work out till March 2014.

[USCremedy]

Originally Posted by a24gmcks

So at this point we are for sure that #21 will declare?

no, its just speculation and some news outlets are reporting it. it makes sense to me though, especially if he's being told by the right people a team will pick him up and let him recover on their payroll.

[MEL]

I'll certainly cheer for him whatever he decides to do. He will be missed at South Carolina, but I'm so happy he chose to play for the Gamecocks. Good luck to you Marcus and thank you for all you've done for the team. :)

[FeartheSpur]

Steelers

[scgamecocks1984]

Lattimore is not leaving, he has already said he will be back in garnet and black in '14 all this b.s. is hearsay just to get publicity

[AstroCock]

Well they did put his records up in Williams Brice as if they didn't expect him to add to them.

[CockTail]

Teams will not know by The April Draft if he will be able to play at all. He might be better to go undrafted and seek out a team as a free agent. I hope he has a spectacular career in the NFL, but not sure he will be drafted until very late, if at all.

[gamecockguy]

Originally Posted by AstroCock

Well they did put his records up in Williams Brice as if they didn't expect him to add to them.

They didn't put an end year. It says "2010 - "