The rumor this afternoon has been that Marcus Lattimore is reportedly entering the 2013 NFL Draft after his horrific knee injury. While it hasn’t been confirmed yet, this is a big change from what South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier said on October 29th, when he said Lattimore told him he would return.
Personally I think it will all depend on how his rehab goes. If he is well-enough to work out at the Combine or to have a separate Pro Day before the draft, and can perform at a high-level there is no reason for him not to leave early. If he were to have another devastating knee injury next year, it would be safe to say that with three knee injuries in three years that he would be undraftable. But, if he isn’t quite healthy enough to work out prior to the draft, I’m not sure he would leave early; this is just a guess though.
If he gets healthy enough to show teams he can still play, I guarantee that he is gone by the end of the second round. The amount of talent that Lattimore has showed while he is healthy is well worth the risk. He always reminded me of Adrian Peterson, and runningbacks like Peterson don’t come around very often.
Whatever he chooses, I wish him the very best. Although, I’m sure many South Carolina fans will feel a bit betrayed if he goes back on his word and leaves early.
H/T: Rant Sports