Marcus Lattimore Will Reportedly Declare for 2013 NFL Draft

South Carolina Gamecocks star running back Marcus Lattimore will reportedly enter the 2013 NFL draft, according to ESPN’s Joe Schad:

"

South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore will enter the NFL Draft; official announcement planned for this week.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 10, 2012"

Lattimore was one of the most promising young backs of the 2012 college football season, but a devastating knee injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and subsequent surgery (h/t Yahoo! Sports) have raised serious questions about his value at the professional level. 

Where he is selected in the draft will be dictated by his health.

What It Means

While many may question leaving college after such a devastating injury, a report from Joe Schad on ESPN.com claims that Lattimore is convinced his rehab would be much more effective if he was doing it with an NFL team.

That’s a really smart move for the young man’s future.

The RB’s stock was at its highest this season before getting injured, and the decision to enter the league now is the best choice for his health and for his future earnings.

What’s Next?

While the next step for Lattimore is to continue his relentless rehabilitation process and dominate it like few others could, the NFL pieces will fall into place and he will not go undrafted.

Where and when exactly he gets drafted is the biggest mystery, though.

As for the question of where the young RB ends up, there are a plethora of teams that could use a back of Lattimore‘s size and ability, but two serious knee injuries in the last three years is a legitimate concern.

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