Gamecock's Lattimore the next great Spurrier RB

"Marcus is already considered one of the best around," Spurrier said Tuesday. "There is no question about that. But we'll let him earn his way as he goes through the year. Whatever accolades come to him, we'll let them take their course. He's certainly a very good player and very good teammate. Guys love him." Lattimore's 37-carry, 182-yard performance against Georgia ranks among the top-10 showings of any Spurrier-coached back. But Lattimore's emergence as a big-time runner goes beyond one game. He ranks fifth in the SEC with 91.8 rushing yards per game. Spurrier likens Lattimore's running style to that of former Florida standout Emmitt Smith. "Emmitt, his shoulder pads seemed to always be square when he's coming through the line of scrimmage. Tacklers do not get a good, clean shot at his body because his pad level is so low," Spurrier said. "Even when they're diving at his feet and ankles, he's able to get his feet out of the ground if they come in there real low. That's how running backs can stay healthy a long time. "In fact, Emmitt, I don't think he ever had any knee surgeries or anything over the years, and he lasted a long time without injuries. I think Marcus' style will keep him healthy. He doesn't give the tacklers a good, clean shot at him. He has the ability, sort of, to glance off and break tackles." The coordinator of USC's defense, Ellis Johnson gets a daily look at Lattimore. "He's got horizontal movement. He's got vertical explosion," Johnson said. "He's got great pad level. He's got eyes; he sees things that other backs don't see. Obviously, he's got durability. He's big and strong enough to take a hit and still make yardage."