Former South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore is not permitted to take an official position with the Gamecocks as an advisor to players, per the NCAA’s ruling on Friday.
The governing body pointed to an unfair recruiting advantage due to the former South Carolina star being involved in youth football camps as well as The Marcus Lattimore Foundation.
On Monday, Lattimore released a statement in response to the ruling. Here it is, courtesy of The State’s David Cloninger:
“To clarify the situation concerning the NCAA, I will not be working for USC athletics. I have a non-profit (The Marcus Lattimore Foundation) that caters directly to student-athletes. I have a business (football camps) that focuses on the sports performance element of athletes with plans of opening a facility in the upstate. I also work with a few companies that directly help our youth in this great state. I was not aware of the compliance issues that would arise with me taking a position in athletics. I was honored when coach Muschamp offered me a position and I will always be around when the guys in that locker room need me. Although I would love to be a part of the new era of Gamecock football, I have to honor my commitment to our youth. The NCAA ruling is fair and I will fully comply. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. God bless!”
Despite the ruling, Lattimore has the freedom to promote the program and be an advisor to recruits. He also has the ability to speak to the current players on the roster.
When it came down to taking an official position with South Carolina or continuing his camps, he chose the latter.
“I don’t want to coach, not just yet. I want to coach high school later on,” Lattimore said. “But something in the recreational community, something in the public health well is what I want to do right now.”
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
