The 2013 NFL Draft Spotlight series continues, as we preview one pro prospect per day, right up until the start of the draft, April 25-27. However, none of the reports in this series are indicative of who the Kansas City Chiefs plan to draft, with any of their currently-owned eight picks.
Day 10 of 32
It's going to be difficult to find a player who works harder than South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore, in the upcoming draft.
As if taking hit after hit in the SEC isn't proof enough of his love for the game, Lattimore endured horrific knee injuries in back-to-back seasons at South Carolina, causing many to wonder if he'd ever return to the field in dominating fashion.
Lattimore was a Heisman Trophy candidate entering the 2011 season, which ended prematurely against Mississippi State, after suffering his first major knee injury.
In 2012, Lattimore carried the load for South Carolina, leading the team in rushing with 662 yards and 11 TDs in nine games, before tearing the ACL, PCL and MCL of his right knee against Tennessee, during his junior season.
The injury prevented Marcus from participating in drills at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, but he did address the media.
His 'never-quit' attitude and hard work has been paying off and allowed him to participate in South Carolina's Pro Day on March 27.
What else should you know about Marcus?
STRENGTHS:
- South Carolina's all-time single-season leader in TDs (19)
- School-record 40 carries for 212 yards and three TDs in win over Florida, clinching Carolina's first SEC Eastern Division title (2010)
- 11-career 100-yard rushing games
- His drive - "I want to be an inspiration," Lattimore told *USA TODAY Sports*.
"To let people know that with hard work, and when you trust in God, you can come back from anything and do anything."
QUESTIONS:
- "Lacks elite speed to consistently win the edge or out-run defenders," according to cbssports.com.
"Strong durability concerns with two serious knee injuries the past two seasons and currently rehabbing a right knee injury from last October. Didn't look 100 percent this past season after his 2011 left knee injury and wore down late in games. Will he ever be able to return to form or will he a shell of what he once was?"
Name: Marcus Lattimore
Position: RB
Height: 5'11
Weight: 221
College: South Carolina
Hometown: Duncan, SC
Age: 21
Draft Spotlight - Day 9: Geno Smith
