National Signing Day 2010: Gamecocks Hope to Land Lattimore

Duncan, South Carolina's five-star running back Marcus Lattimore has the opportunity to either stay close to home or to travel across the country to play his college ball. Lattimore, ranked in the top 10 nationally, is the starting running back for one of the best high school teams in the country, the Byrnes (S.C.) Rebels. He played on national TV in 2009 and impressed many. 

Lattimore's remaining choices include home-state South Carolina and Auburn. He has already notified the coaches of Oregon and Penn State the rest of his top four. He had already ruled out home-state (and University of South Carolina rival) Clemson, and SEC power and defending National Champion Alabama, as well as Florida State and Georgia.

Lattimore has the size, he is six feet tall and weighs 210 lbs. He also has the speed. He runs the 40-yard dash in a very respectable 4.46 and has a vertical leap of thirty-two inches.  Lattimore is a highly sought after recruit and is expected to make an impact on whichever team he chooses within two years on campus.

Two current Gamecocks players, Stephon Gilmore and Devonte Holloman, were reported to have spent time with Lattimore on his official visit to South Carolina this past weekend.  New offensive line coach Shawn Elliott was said to have impressed Lattimore with his future plans for the Gamecock ground attack, much like former O-line coach Eric Wolford did. Wolford left South Carolina to take the head coaching job at Youngstown State.

South Carolina "Head Ball Coach" Steve Spurrier, who usually isn't that active in recruiting, sat with Lattimore at this weekend's South Carolina men's basketball game and Lattimore stated that Spurrier, "Wants to win," and Lattimore said Spurrier told him he, "needs a big time back to do it. I spent a lot of time with him this weekend." 

Lattimore also stated that he may take an unofficial visit to Auburn this coming weekend, January 22-25, and that his official in-home visits from Auburn and South Carolina are January 28 and 30 respectively. 

The factors remaining in Lattimore's search are, according to him, "Where I think I can win a championship" and he also stated that he, "feel(s) comfortable at both schools with the players and coaches." 

Wherever Lattimore goes, he will have an impact.