South Carolina football's greatest moments from National Signing Day
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football's Top National Signing Day Moments:
Marcus Lattimore's Church Sandstorm Arrived a Day Early
Like with Jadeveon Clowney in 2011, Marcus Lattimore didn't sign his National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day. Instead, Lattimore elected to have a signing ceremony at his church the night before and send in his paperwork the following morning.
After significant interest from Clemson, Alabama, North Carolina, Penn State, and others, Lattimore narrowed his decision-making process down to just two schools, South Carolina and Auburn.
Auburn thought they were going to land the 5-star running back, and, frankly, so did a lot of national recruiting analysts. However, Gamecock fans were quietly optimistic.
During his ceremony, Lattimore initially picked an Auburn hat from his bag, and an audible gasp was heard across the room. Then, after looking at it briefly, he reached underneath the hat to reveal that a South Carolina Gamecocks cap was hidden. He put it on and stated, "That's the best fit for me."
The newly adopted anthem of Gamecock athletics, Darude's "Sandstorm," played through the church's speakers, and the rest was history.
Lattimore went on to become the 2nd-best running back in school history, and had it not been for two devastating knee injuries that ended his career far too prematurely, he may have challenged Heisman-winner George Rogers for the crown. Even so, he set multiple program records and was honored this year as an SEC Legend.