Georgia coach Mark Richt confirmed Friday that Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley will enter the 2015 NFL Draft as an underclassman.
In speaking with reporters as Georgia prepares for Louisville in the Belk Bowl, Richt said "he'll be moving on," according to dawgs247.com.
Gurley is considered one of the elite rushing talents in the college game. He was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate and played his way into early season contention for the award until a four-game suspension, and subsequently a torn ACL, ended his junior season prematurely. Gurley rushed for 911 yards in just six games before the Nov. 15 injury against Auburn. Still, Richt believes Gurley will be able to show NFL scouts "some things" prior to the draft, and said UGA head trainer Ron Courson believes Gurley's rehabilitation is going "beautifully."
"He's rehabbing well," Richt said, according to dawgs247.com. "Ron thinks it's going beautifully. His spirits are great. I wouldn't be shocked to see him doing a lot of things for the scouts before the draft. I think he'll be a very high draft pick."
Few expected Gurley to return to Georgia. At 6-foot-1, 233 pounds, he has plowed through SEC defenses with his powerful style consistently for the last three years, at least when Gurley has been able to play. He missed four games as a sophomore with an ankle injury, and ultimately had his most productive college season as a freshman in 2012 (222 carries, 1,385 yards, 17 TDs). He is well-suited to run between the tackles as part of a downhill rushing attack and is effective as both a receiver and pass blocker, too. Gurley caught 65 passes for 615 yards and six scores during his Georgia career.
South Carolina running back Mike Davisannounced his intention to enter the draft as an underclassman on Thursday. Underclassmen have until a Jan. 15 deadline to declare.
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