Without Marcus Lattimore, Jake Bentley might not be the rising star quarterback for South Carolina.
Bentley credited Lattimore with inspiring his love for Gamecocks football during a Tuesday interview posted online by the athletic department.
“Seeing him, how hard he ran, how hard he worked — it really drove me to be the best I could be throughout my young career,” Bentley said.
Lattimore, who played running back from 2010-12 during the peak of Steve Spurrier’s tenure in Columbia, rushed for 2,677 yards and 38 touchdowns for the Gamecocks.
Bentley, who took over as starter midway through his true freshman season last year, also discussed how his growing experience through spring practice and fall camp is helping him read defenses faster.