By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

May 21, 2009

ESPNU 150 Watch List running back Marcus Lattimore from Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes leaves no doubt about his interest in Penn State.  Lattimore, who has 28 scholarship offers including one from Penn State, welcomed in two Nittany Lions assistant coaches on Wednesday.

“Coach Bill Kenney and Larry Johnson were at my school,” Lattimore said.  “Bill Kenney is recruiting me.  I said ‘Hello’ to him, then I gave him a call afterwards.”

Kenney and Johnson watched Lattimore go through a spring practice session. 

“He told me on the phone how good I looked,” Lattimore said.  “He said to give them a shot.  I’ll give them more than a shot.  I’m definitely interested.”

Lattimore had plenty of good things to say about Penn State football.

“They run the ball,” he said.  “They’ve had some good backs.  They have a lot of tradition.  I know (Penn State) would be a good fit.”

The 6-foot and 215-pound Lattimore rushed for 2,320 yards during his junior season.  He averaged 7.6 yards per carry and had 30 touchdowns.

In addition to Penn State, Lattimore’s list of scholarship offers includes Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin from the Big Ten.  Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Miami and Auburn are among the many other schools to offer Lattimore a scholarship.

Lattimore has never been to Penn State, but that will change in the next month.

“I’ll go up to one of their camps,” Lattimore said.  “But I won’t participate.  Most likely they will be one of my official visits.”