South Carolina football player MarShawn Lloyd suffered a torn ACL on Wednesday that will cost him his 2020 season.
The news comes from an announcement from the university as Mike Gillespie of ABC Columbia tweeted.
BREAKING: Gamecock freshman running back MarShawn Lloyd will miss the entire 2020 season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during Wednesday's practice. @abc_columbia
— Mike Gillespie (@MikeABCColumbia) August 20, 2020
Coach Will Muschamp said the following to reporters about the injury Thursday afternoon:
"“I’m extremely disappointed for MarShawn. It was a non-contact situation where he just planted his foot and tore his ACL. MarShawn will attack his rehabilitation like he does everything in life. The best is yet to come for MarShawn Lloyd.”"
The DeMatha Catholic alum had high expectations for this season as he is one of the highest rated recruit in the Will Muschamp coaching era, ranking 43rd in 247Sports Composite rankings and ranking 56th nationally according to ESPN. Lloyd received high praise from coaches and teammates about his work ethic and talent.
His injury is a blow to the program with a reformatted offense under new coordinator Mike Bobo that likely had Lloyd playing a major part of the offense.
Mike Bobo stated the following about Lloyd’s injuiry.
"“It’s devastating for the young man. What an amazing young man. Since he’s been here. He’s been nothing but all in. He is, you know, when I got here we recruited the young man and, watching this tape I’m like, ‘This guy’s special.’ I got a chance to meet him and meet his mom and meet his sisters, and just a remarkable young man. He’s not about anything, he wasn’t about recruiting, he was about coming here this was the place for him and he wanted to help, South Carolina be successful on and off the field. I still think he’ll have that impact.”"
Lloyd tweeted and assured fans that he would be back.
https://twitter.com/m_lloyd_2/status/1296501987333361665
The news comes days after the Gamecocks schedule announcement where they will face the Tennessee Volunteers in week one.