Marcus Lattimore Will Return to South Carolina in Ambassador Role

Having already retired from the NFL, Marcus Lattimore is setting his sights on finishing his college education. The former South Carolina running back will return to Columbia and take classes starting next month, while also serving as an ambassador for the school.     

Lattimore said that he plans on graduating in 2016, per David Cloninger of The State:

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Lattimore will enroll for South Carolina's spring semester in January and begin completing his degree in public health. He'll also take a position as an ambassador for the school and its football program, although an official title has yet to be bestowed.

'There's been some back-and-forth,' he said. 'I'll most likely work with the university, coach (Ray) Tanner, president (Harris) Pastides, coach (Steve) Spurrier, whatever they need me to do. No official title that we have talked about yet, but we're trying to get something nailed down.'

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Lattimore, 23, ran for 2,677 yards and 38 touchdowns during his three years as a Gamecock, earning a reputation as one of the best running backs in the country. He likely would've been a first-round pick in the 2013 or 2014 NFL draft had he not suffered a major knee injury in a game against Tennessee in October 2012.

The San Francisco 49ers gambled on Lattimore, drafting him in the fourth round in 2013. He failed to appear in a single game for the team and announced his retirement back in November.

Grantland's Michael Baumann wrote about the force of nature Lattimore was in college:

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Even among such highly regarded company, though, Lattimore stood out. He was an Eddie George–type runner, a tallish back who'd move the chains against whatever defensive front he faced, whether it was Furman or LSU or Patton’s Third Army. He got America's most famous run-and-shoot coach to run a grind-it-out power game, because while Spurrier tends to be pass-happy, he's not stupid. Lattimore wouldn't reverse his field and make five guys miss, like Reggie Bush, but he'd take the ball and eat up the opposition, 4.8 yards at a time.

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This isn't the perfect end to Lattimore's sporting career, but this at least offers him a chance to make a positive impact on the South Carolina football program.

Lattimore will be able to earn his degree and mentor future generations of Gamecocks players.