South Carolina Football: What Marcus Lattimore Must Do to Win the Heisman Trophy

There are no magic numbers for a player to win the Heisman trophy. There is no "to do" list, so this is a difficult assignment. A player must show that he's the greatest player on the field on any given season in order to win the coveted trophy.

Marcus Lattimore (if healthy) is that type of player. He's a game-changer and a leader. He's a do-it-all back that can destroy defenses in many different ways. 

For him to win the Heisman, he will have to have a spectacular season. Here's what I think it will take for him to get there. 

Rush for 1,500 Yards

Notching 1,500 yards rushing would be an elite number. It's a benchmark that Lattimore could easily reach. He would need to average 125 yards per game in a 12-game season for this to happen. And the voters would love to see this type of production from a runner. 

Record More Than 20 Combined Touchdowns

Yards are wonderful, but touchdowns are even better. The more touchdowns you score, the better your team will be. Marcus Lattimore is a touchdown machine, and he should aim for even higher than 20 combined touchdowns. 

I am thinking that 30 may be a number worth visiting.

Average More Than 5 Yards Per Carry

If you are averaging a higher yard per carry, you are demonstrating two things. One, you are making the most of each carry, and two, you're keeping yourself healthy, allowing you to be effective for the course of an entire season. 

Gain More Than 400 Yards Receiving

People often forget how truly gifted Lattimore is catching the football. He's a fantastic receiver, and could easily get 400-600 yards through the air. 

Lead South Carolina to an SEC Championship Game Berth

While I realize that the Heisman trophy isn't a team award, if Lattimore can lead the team to another SEC East title, it would go a long way in bringing votes his way. 

Everyone loves a great story. If he can return from injury and have the type of success he was having before, while leading the Gamecocks through another successful season, he could easily win the Heisman.