What was assumed is now official.
Georgia football coach Mark Richt told reporters after Friday’s practice in Charlotte that junior tailback Todd Gurley has informed the Bulldogs staff that he is forgoing his final year of college eligibility. Gurley missed four games this season due to an NCAA suspension for receiving payment for signed memorabilia, and he suffered a torn ACL during the Nov. 15 win over Auburn.
“He will be moving on to the next level,” Richt said. “He is rehabbing well and is in great spirits. I think he will be doing plenty of drills for the scouts and be a great draft pick for someone.”
The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder from Tarboro, N.C., rushed 510 times for 3,285 yards and 36 touchdowns during his three-year Georgia career. He also had six touchdown receptions and two scores via 100-yard kickoff returns.
Gurley’s average of 109.5 rushing yards per game throughout his career ranks second in Georgia history behind Herschel Walker’s staggering 159.4-yard average from 1980 to ’82. Gurley’s career average of 6.44 yards per carry is the best in program history, topping the 6.42-yard average Charley Trippi had in the 1940s.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.