Dec. 14, 2010

University of South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore has been named the National Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the 2010 Freshman All-America squad, according to CollegeFootballNews.com.

Here is what the internet site had to say about the six-foot, 218-pounder from Duncan, S.C.:

“Every bit as good as advertised coming out of high school, Lattimore exploded on to the scene in Columbia. Already looking like a next-level runner between the tackles, he’s second to Cam Newton in SEC rushing, going for 1,198 yards and 17 touchdowns. Even better, he looks like a big-game performer, saving his three biggest efforts for Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. He’ll be a Heisman contender as early as 2011.”

Lattimore had previously been named National Freshman of the Year by CBSSportsline.com and Rivals.com, was a second team Walter Camp All-American, earned first team All-SEC honors and has been a unanimous choice as SEC Freshman of the Year.