University of Georgia running back Todd Gurley will declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, reports Seth Emerson of the Macon Telegraph (via Twitter). Gurley’s college coach Mark Richt confirmed that his Heisman-caliber tailback would be “moving on.”
The move from college to the NFL is not surprising, considering Gurley would have expected to be the first running back taken before suffering an ACL injury midseason. Gurley, who had been suspended by the NCAA for improprieties stemming from a paid autograph signing, was reinstated before hurting his knee in his first game back..
In three seasons at Georgia, Gurley separated himself as an elite running back prospect. He average 6.0, 6.2, and 7.4 yards per carry in his three abbreviated years as a Bulldog, scoring 36 touchdowns during that time.
Although running backs are becoming less important in terms of draft position, especially as Trent Richardson continues to struggle, Gurley would have been close to a lock as a first-round pick had he remained suspended and never suffered an injury that ended his college career.