Marcus Lattimore: Why you wouldn't send Spencer Rattler to SEC Media Days
On Tuesday, South Carolina announced the Gamecock student-athletes who’ll be joining Shane Beamer at SEC Media Days next week in Atlanta.
Those players are, offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn, wide receiver Dakereon Joyner, and defensive lineman Zacch Pickens. All three are seniors.
On this week’s episode of BLEAV in South Carolina, Marcus Lattimore shared his take on why you wouldn’t send transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler.
“I think it’s more of a protection. I think (coach Beamer is) trying to protect him,” said Lattimore. “Protect him from the exhausting day where you could mentally burn out.”
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In 2011, Lattimore was one of three student-athletes who joined coach Steve Spurrier at SEC Media Days. Knowing firsthand what that experience is like, Lattimore shed light on the challenges they can present.
“(You) might say some things that you didn’t necessarily mean. It’s a day where you need to be ready. It’s like going into a game. Why I enjoyed SEC Media Days was because it was such good practice. I went through, at the minimum, 20 interviews that day. By the fifth one, I was good and warmed up. My mind is a little bit open. I can talk about more things and my teammates. But, when you get to that point when it’s the third quarter, fourth quarter, you’re taking pictures and asked questions, (you get) tired and hungry.”
In all, Lattimore said the day takes about three to four hours. Admittedly, he said by the end you need to be more focused than ever. Something he still remembers about his SEC Media Days experience.
“Somebody asked me if I wanted to win the Heisman and I said, ‘Hell yeah I want to win the Heisman. Is it on my mind? Yes.’ I should’ve probably redirected my answer to something that was more focused on the team. It was a topic of discussion but coach Spurrier and I had a conversation after that. He sat me down and said, ‘Look. It’s all good to want to win the Heisman. But let’s not publicize that you want it.”
Listen to the full episode below
While there’s no question that Rattler’s name is big in the college football world, the reality is he would be asked questions that he’s already answered. Questions that he was peppered with by the South Carolina media the first time he stepped on campus.
“He’s passed that. That’s in the last chapter… Hypothetically, if he were going to SEC Media Days, all of those questions are swirling in his mind until the season starts. What people think and what people are saying. Coach Beamer, Derrick Moore, I’m pretty sure that was a discussion before they made that decision to send him or not. They just want to keep his mind pure (and) on the right things.”
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While Rattler won’t be in Atlanta next week, Lattimore couldn’t have been more complimentary of the players who are going.
“Jovaughn Gwyn, Dakereon Joyner, (Zacch Pickens), these are some of the greatest representatives of South Carolina in the past twenty years…. Back in the day when you were a four-year letterman in high school and you wore your jacket, it was important. I feel like those guys they care so much about South Carolina, that’s how they’re gonna feel going into it.”
