SEC Surprises to Get Ready for Chapter Three

Larry Burton (Panama City Beach, FL) Since Nick Saban landed back-to-back terrific backs in Heisman winner Mark Ingram and heir apparent Trent Richardson, every other team has been searching for the next great running back. Steve Spurrier may have found him in his own back yard.

But it wasn't the easiest recruiting job he's ever done. He had to fight tooth and claw, fight off a late charge from Auburn, and even show up at the recruit's house and dance "The Cha Cha" with his mother. Seriously!

But land him he did, and this fall Marcus Lattimore may be running up sidelines in a stadium near you this fall.

One of the biggest pieces of the puzzle that Spurrier has been missing is a running game to help ease the pressure on the offense. Finally Spurrier has a running back that can allow his senior quarterback to freeze the line with a fake handoff and open up some passing. The next play, have Lattimore streak outside or burst up the middle.

Spurrier may finally have some balance.

Lattimore is a South Carolina native who most big colleges all came calling for. There were over 30 colleges all vying for his services. Few thought Spurrier had a chance to land him, especially when he started spending time with Auburn's former running back Steven Davis, also a South Carolina product.

Ironically, it was Davis on Signing Day that brought the bag with the hats of Lattimore's final choices in it. At the appropriate moment, Lattimore pulled out an Auburn cap only to put on a South Carolina cap out that tucked inside it.

When asked why he would advise Lattimore against choosing Auburn, Davis said he didn't advise him to choose any school. "Just follow his heart" was Davis' advice.

And that's what the 5'11", 215 pound Lattimore did. "I was just comfortable with my decision," he said. "I know if I work hard, I can get on the field the first game."

There are three other running backs on campus who all split time and carries last year, but quite frankly, not one has this much athletic ability. While he may not start the year as the starter, he will see significant playing time and will most probably be the starter by the time the Gamecocks get into the grind of the SEC season.

How much difference a great freshman can make will make watching the Gamecocks interesting this year, but not as interesting as Steve Spurrier doing "The Cha Cha" with Lattimore's mother.

"He's not a bad dancer," Lattimore said of the Old Ball Coach's dance with his mother, Yolanda.

Now that would have been a highlight reel moment.

For other SEC surprises, you can go to:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/345773-sec-surprises-to-get-ready-for-chapter-one

and

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/345979-sec-surprises-to-get-ready-for-chapter-two