South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore is just three months removed from a devastating knee injury that ultimately ended his collegiate career.
The junior elected to declare himself eligible for the NFL Draft and said Tuesday he expects to be ready for the start of the 2013 season for whatever team decides to draft him in April.
“That’s my goal, and it is realistic,” Lattimore said, via Dan Wolken of the USA Today.
Lattimore dislocated his right knee and tore several ligaments in the second quarter of South Carolina’s game against Tennessee on Oct. 27. Lattimore, who was projected to be a first round draft pick before the injury, took a hand-off running to his left when a Tennessee defender hit his square on his planted right leg. As he tumbled to the ground, his leg was noticeably disjointed.
It was the second straight season Lattimore has suffered a knee injury as he tore the ACL in his left knee in 2011.
Per Wolken, Lattimore is expected to begin jogging on land in just two weeks.
“Dr. (James) Andrews came in to see me he said, ‘You’re doing remarkable, you’re doing everything you can.’ His words were, ‘You’re going to shock the world,’” Lattimore said.
After seeing what Adrian Peterson was able to do this season after Andrews operated on him, it might be wise to trust his opinion on Lattimore as well.