Even with a host of injury concerns attached to him, Lattimore was drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2013 draft — a decision he still doesn’t understand, even after retiring in November at age 23.
MORE: Surprising NFL retirements | NFL single-season rushing leaders
“I mean, why would you take a running back with two horrible knee injuries?” Lattimore asked SB Nation. “I did pretty good, I played good in college, but if I’m a GM I don’t think I would do it."
Lattimore never carried the ball for the 49ers, who thought he was the type of player and person who could overcome such harrowing setbacks.
Now away from the NFL, Lattimore is back in South Carolina serving as an ambassador for the Gamecocks’ football program and holding camps of his own.
“I feel like I found what I’m supposed to do after football,” Lattimore said.
