Do you remember Marcus Lattimore? He had dreams of playing in the NFL and being a Hall of Fame running back.
Lattimore scored 11 rushing touchdowns on just 143 carries for South Carolina in 2012. During his collegiate career, he gained 2,677 yards on the ground in 29 games through three seasons while setting school records in rushing (38) and total touchdowns (41).
Lattimore was recently named South Carolina's director of player development as part of Will Muschamp's staff. His role will be to guide players both on and off the field with a focus on career development, financial responsibility, and more.
As a player, Lattimore's only full season with the Gamecocks came in 2010, which was his freshman year. He went on to suffer two major knee injuries in college.
Following his first injury, which was a torn ACL, Lattimore drew inspiration from then-San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, who suffered two torn ACLs during his time at Miami. Gore is posting Hall of Fame numbers in the NFL and currently ranks fifth on the all-time rushing list with 14,026 yards.
Lattimore's second injury was much more significant. After leaving the game and while at the hospital, he learned there was a possibility that he might lose his leg. Lattimore had torn every ligament in his knee. Included in the injury was a torn calf muscle and hamstring, which made the rehab process more difficult and painful.
"It was one of the worst experiences that I've ever been through because of the pain," Lattimore said during a KNBR interview on Saturday.
Despite his injury history and the uncertainty surrounding his long-term health, Lattimore was selected in the fourth-round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the 49ers – uniting him with Gore. Lattimore called it one of the top five moments in his life.
"I've never learned so much from a human being that didn't say a word," Lattimore said of Gore. "He was one of the most prepared players that I've ever been around. I mean, we would be in walkthroughs, and everyone else is somewhat joking around and hanging out. He would be working on his footwork on inside zone, a play that he's ran over 5,000 times. He's working on his footwork. He's working on the little things.
"And that type of mentally, it rubs off on you. And now I apply it to every day of my life."
Lattimore sat out his rookie season while still trying to recover from his second injury at South Carolina. He never played a snap in the NFL.
Fans may view Lattimore as yet another failed gamble on an injured player by then-general manager Trent Baalke, but the former running back remains grateful for the opportunity.
"I didn't care what round I went," Lattimore said. "I didn't care if I went undrafted. I was going to try one more time to fulfill that goal of playing in the NFL, and Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh really took a chance on me and gave me that opportunity, and I'm forever grateful to those two men."
Lattimore is thankful to the former 49ers coaching staff for teaching him the Xs and Os and reigniting his passion for the game. Harbaugh would take the time to visit with Lattimore during each day of his rehab.
"He cares about his players," Lattimore said of his former NFL head coach. "They're in good hands at Michigan. San Francisco, just being in the Bay Area, really expanded my mind. I would not be in the position I am today without that experience."
Lattimore announced his retirement from the NFL on November 5, 2014, and at the age of 23. The decision was not made lightly. After following the directions of the team's medical staff and trainers, his knee never felt quite right. There was still a good deal of pain. After consulting with a number of people, including Gore, and praying about the situation, Lattimore decided to end his dream rather than risk another severe injury.
"I had to walk away from the game that I love, and it was a tough decision," he said.
Muschamp tried to hire Lattimore as an advisor in 2016, but the move was blocked by the NCAA because the former running back ran football camps in the state through his charitable foundation. It was seen as a potentially unfair recruiting advantage.
Lattimore went on to serve as the head coach at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina before being hired to be part of Muschamp's staff.
The issue with the NCAA has been resolved. Lattimore told WACH FOX 57 in Columbia that he can continue to have his foundation, but cannot be present at any camps held within the state.
While he never had an opportunity to take a snap in the NFL, the former 49ers draft pick is finding success with his alma mater.
You can listen to the entire interview with Lattimore below.
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