Tyler Bray, Marcus Lattimore show opposite emotions of 2013 NFL Draft (+video)
The fortunes of Tyler Bray and Marcus Lattimore showed the ups and downs of what was a historic 2013 NFL Draft for the Southeastern Conference.
(Page 2 of 2)
"It is likely that Bray filled out the application to receive his Draft grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board and that he was told he was likely to be selected as high as the third round. The opinion of the Board is confidential; unless Bray or his agent speaks on the record, there is no way of knowing whether Bray went through the process and/or what he was told," writes Darren Heitner of Forbes.
Skip to next paragraphSubscribe Today to the Monitor
For Lattimore, however, the prospect of playing any football at all has to be a joyous one. At one point, he was slated to be the top running back taken in this year's draft. Then he became the Kevin Ware of the college football season, suffering a gruesome leg injury that ended his playing year. According to medical reports, he's unlikely to play much – if at all – in 2013 because of his knee.
But in San Francisco, he'll have time – and a mentor. When Lattimore tore his knee, one of the first pro players to call with a message of support was running back Frank Gore, who had two major knee injuries while at the University of Miami. Now, as a 49er, Gore is a four-time Pro Bowler and Lattimore's teammate.
"I know I'm going to get to know him a little better once I get there," Lattimore, speaking from Columbia, S.C., said a conference call Saturday, according to a USA Today report. "So I'm real excited about that."
And Lattimore isn't the only inspiring story coming from the 49ers this weekend. Shortly after the draft ended, the 49ers signed British Olympic discus thrower Lawrence Okoye. Okoye has never played football. But he is a beast.
Trying to describe him, 49er coach Jim Harbaugh said, "Just an Adonis," according to a USA Today report.
At 6-foot-6, 308 pounds, Okoye runs a 4.78-second 40-yard dash. Now, the task is to teach him how to hone those abilities to make him a defensive end in the NFL. It's a project, no doubt. But his physical tools make it worth the minimal risk.



Previous





Follow Us