Pat DiMarco, I'm proud to call you a Gamecock.

Pat DiMarco came to South Carolina in 2007 after a stellar high school career at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida.  In a recruiting world where "stars" seem to be everyone's rock to grab hold of, DiMarco was considered only a two star recruit by both Rivals and Scout recruiting services despite being named Orlando Sentinel's Player of the Year in Central Florida, as well as being first-team all-state, conference player of the year, the Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Year, and leading the Lake Brantley Patriots to a 14-2 record and a trip to the Florida 6-A state championship game.  He simply didn't have the measurables that recruiting gurus look for despite performing so well at a high level of high school football in what is arguably the best amateur football state in America.  It's the immeasurables that set Pat DiMarco apart.  He won't wow you with his size and his forty time is not impressive.  His heart and his effort level, however, will blow you away. 

Since arriving in Columbia, DiMarco has played in all 38 games the Gamecocks have played over the last three seasons, starting in thirteen of those contests.  He's been used at fullback, at tight end, and on special teams.  He can block, he can catch, and there isn't a South Carolina football fan out there that closely follows the team that is ever worried whether #47 is giving you his best.  He is.  In three years, DiMarco has 11 carries for 34 yards and has caught 23 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns.  The upcoming 2010 season will mark his second as a team captain.  He won the 2008 Ernest A. Brooks Memorial Award as the MVP of the South Carolina/Clemson game, earned the Everyday Effort Award for the offense during the spring of 2008, and was recently presented with the Joe Morrison Award as the Offensive Player of the Spring this offseason.  This is Pat DiMarco's final season in garnet and black.  I expect it to be his best.  I'm willing to bet that the measuring stick he uses to determine whether it is or not has little do with personal statistics, though.  Instead, he'll be looking at how many W's the team can add up in 2010.  That's what makes Pat DiMarco a special player.  He's obviously shown he has the talent to play in the SEC, but his consistent effort has made him the contributor he's been for South Carolina.  Like Rob DeBoer and Ryan Brewer before him, he will remain a Carolina fan favorite long after he's hung up his pads for the last time because of the way he played the game.  Pat DiMarco, I'm proud to call you a Gamecock.  We all are.