Local news says Lattimore is going to the NFL

[Kazak]

This is the right move for Marcus, and I thought it was a no-brainer from the instant the injury happened. I was actually surprised there was so much talk about him coming back here in 2014. It would be madness to risk another college injury.

I'll predict a 4th or 5th round selection. There's no WAY he lasts past round 5. There's too much potential value to be had in locking down a 1st round talent like Lattimore at that point in the draft. Many players selected in the 4th or 5th round are meant to develop for a couple of years before playing anyway. I think some team will be bold and snag him in round 4, but if that doesn't happen, EVERY team with a running back need will want him in round 5.

He may have to "settle" for the NFL minimum base salary for his first 3 years, with a typical 3 year rookie contract ($405,000 as a rookie in 2013, $495,000 in 2014, $570,000 in 2015 for a total of 1.47 million...not too doggone shabby), and he'll have a shot to earn multi-millions in 2016 if he becomes the player we all know he can be.

This is the smart move for Marcus and for his family. Best of luck to him.

[2000grad]

Thought Spurrier said he was redshirting next year and returning for his senior year to get his degree

[beak2]

Main thing is that we love Marcus and will support him in whatever decision he makes.

[sc455]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

Thought Spurrier said he was redshirting next year and returning for his senior year to get his degree

i thought sidney rice said he was coming back.

[KaneisAble]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

Thought Spurrier said he was redshirting next year and returning for his senior year to get his degree

I would imagine he'll get his degree regardless. I also don't put a lot of stock into everything that was said in the immediate aftermath of the injury. I think everyone was reeling and just trying to be positive (nor do I think anything definitive had been decided.)

[2000grad]

Originally Posted by sc455

i thought sidney rice said he was coming back.

I thought Favre was going to retire and never play after the packers

[Garnet 4 Life 81]

he should redshirt rehab, build his draft stock so he can get a higher contract. 2 knee injuries i doubt they draft him maybe free agent signing. hope we rehabs fast though

[imabeastonu]

id be surprised if someone drafted him in the first 6 rounds

[spareparts]

Originally Posted by Coulwoodwarlord

That'd work for me. As long as it's not CLEVELAND. Any place but there.

Dude what do you have against Ohio? It's a beautiful place. Great people too.

[2000grad]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Dude what do you have against Ohio? It's a beautiful place. Great people too.

Didn't the river catch on fire in Cleveland??

[Emery]

People heard what they wanted to hear after the injury. All that was clearly stated was that he would be back. I took that as he would be returning to football and wasn't going to stop rehab etc. Many seemed to think he meant he would be back with the Gamecocks on the team and would play another year.

I think many are reading way too much into small blurbs and second hand reports. Whatever he decides to do the road ahead isn't going to be easy and there will likely be other conflicting reports to come.

[2000grad]

So, where is that official report saying that he is DEFINITELY going???

[ThisMr X]

Originally Posted by Emery

People heard what they wanted to hear after the injury. All that was clearly stated was that he would be back. I took that as he would be returning to football and wasn't going to stop rehab etc. Many seemed to think he meant he would be back with the Gamecocks on the team and would play another year.

I think many are reading way too much into small blurbs and second hand reports. Whatever he decides to do the road ahead isn't going to be easy and there will likely be other conflicting reports to come.

Probably due to what spurrier said, he should have worded it better apparently.

[eklypised]

Dont think it would be smart to declare for the draft this year. He needs a year off to recover. Whatever he decides the year after, we will have to see. But I didnt expect him to play at all next year for any team.

[Emery]

Originally Posted by ThisMr X

Probably due to what spurrier said, he should have worded it better apparently.

All he said was Marcus texted me and told me to tell them that I'll be back. At that point, the severity of the injury was still largely unknown along with his potential to walk pain free. I took this to mean he would play football again. Other than that, people read into it what they wanted...including Spurrier.

[keegthecock]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Dude what do you have against Ohio? It's a beautiful place. Great people too.

Sauerkraut Balls

[BigSteven34]

I want Marcus to do whatever is in his best interest! If he wants to go pro than I thank him for everything he has done here at Carolina! Can't wait to watch him on Sundays, hope he has a long and successful career!

[uscjeremynca]

Originally Posted by imabeastonu

id be surprised if someone drafted him in the first 6 rounds

See my earlier comments on this from an NFL perspective. Speaking strictly as an NFL team (which I'm not but I'll pretend to be a GM for now), no way I'd use a high pick on Marcus when 1) he won't play in 2013 and 2) I don't know how good of a RB he is going to be

[TroubleCock]

He will be missed. I'm guessing the injury and some coach talk helped with the decision. we have a nice injured stable of backs some will never shine if ML comes back.

[spareparts]

Originally Posted by keegthecock

Sauerkraut Balls

I tried them when I was in Cleveland and like I said back then, they were awful. We went to one of those sports bars and they had them fresh and they were awful. They gave me an extreme case of gas. I understand now why Cleveland is a toxic waste dump because the population eats those things which produces a digestive HAZMAT event two hours later.