I can't imagine why he would choose SC over AU at this point. I mean, I'm not inside his head or anything, so I don't know what is best for him, really. But seriously, how is SC the better program, or how do they project to improve over the next few seasons? I just don't get it. The one thing I could think of is he doesn't want to compete with Dyer.
It's obviously not always about what program is best. The #2 offensive tackle in the country is going to NC State, because he's from Raleigh. The #2 center in the country is going to S Carolina, because he's from SC.
The thing about Dyer is that Lattimore has always liked the idea of being the next Jones/McFadden or Cadillac/Ronnie Brown. He even mentioned wanting to room with him. So I would be surprised if that was an issue.
But one thing he did mention along the way was being close for his family and friends to be able to watch him play. In the end, the truth is (and maybe he's considered this), if he's an NFL talent, going to South Carolina instead of Auburn isn't going to keep him from the league anymore than it kept Sidney Rice or Captain Munnerlyn or Kenny McKinley from making it in the NFL.
Spurrier might have him convinced with "I want you to be my first Fred Taylor/Earnest Graham/Errict Rhett here at South Carolina. The Gamecocks have been waiting 30 years for the next George Rogers...that could be you".
When it comes to a kid staying home...you just never know. If we were fighting with Virginia over a kid from South Carolina, I would say it's a done deal. But Robert Crip (the OL from Raleigh I mentioned), chose NC State over strong offers from Clemson, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Miami, and Michigan. Wolfpack? He just wanted to stay home.
36 Replies
7080 Views