WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsCoaches watch as Mr. Football is named

Coaches watch as Mr. Football is named

By Justin Felder - bio | email

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The top football player in South Carolina was honored in a room full of the state's most talented high school seniors and college coaches from around the state.

The coaches, however, had to make sure to adhere to NCAA rules, which say they can't attend North-South All-Star game practices or talk to recruits.

"I always enjoy coming down to this banquet, it's a good week here, it's fun," said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. "I wish we could still go out and watch practice like we used to.  Nonetheless, I'm glad we can still come to the banquet and see these guys honored."

Swinney's rival agrees, but also always makes sure he's at the Mr. Football Awards ceremony.

"We were here last year, [USC freshman cornerback] Stephon Gilmore won that award," said South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier.  "We'll watch the award banquet, shake hands with who we can, parents and so forth.  There's a bunch of rules of who you can and can't, so we have to follow those the best we can."

In the night's main event, Byrnes High School RB Marcus Lattimore took home the prestigious Mr. Football honor.  Even though he's ranked as one of the top prospects in the country, Lattimore was a little nervous about possibly being named the best in his state.

"[All the finalists] were all nervous," said Lattimore.  "We were talking about it before we went up there, but it's all cool, we're all friends and I'm just glad to get this award."

Lattimore's top five choices for where he'll play college football are South Carolina, Penn State, Auburn, Georgia and Oregon.

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