Georgia’s Todd Gurley scoffs at comparisons to Trent Richardson
ATHENS – Nobody is sure yet what Georgia has in tailback Todd Gurley. The freshman from Tarboro, N.C., has been the Bulldogs’ leading rusher in their first two scrimmages and has impressed coaches and teammates with his size and speed during preseason camp.
But if nothing else, it’s becoming clear that Gurley is well-grounded. He just laughed this week when he was informed that senior safety Shawn Williams compared him to Alabama’s Trent Richardson.
“I think he probably compared me to him because I wear No. 3 and I have dreads like Trent Richardson,” Gurley told reporters after practice Monday. “I have a long, long, long way to go to be like Trent Richardson. But, I mean , just for a starting senior here and one of the key leaders on the team to call me that, that’s big. I’ll just take that and keep working with it. That’s a nice compliment there.”
It certainly is. Richardson rushed for 3,130 yards and 35 touchdowns at Alabama, including 1,679 this past season as he led the Crimson Tide to the national championship. Richardson was picked No. 3 in the 2012 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
The physical comparisons between Gurley and Richardson go beyond their hairstyles, however. Richardson is 5-foot-11, 220 pounds. Gurley is 6-1, 218. And both have exceptional speed for their size. Gurley ran track for Team USA in Europe in 2011 and advanced to the semifinals in the 110-meter hurdles at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France.
Georgia coaches are saying they currently have four No. 1s at tailback heading into the Sept. 1 season opener against Buffalo. Gurley and fellow freshman Keith Marshall is in that group, so either become the first freshman to start an opener for the Bulldogs since Danny Ware in 2004.
“I haven’t really even thought of that,” Gurley said. “I really haven’t. Man, that would be great just to start in the SEC as a true freshman at any position. But I haven’t really thought about starting. I’m just trying to get everything down.”
Sophomore Ken Malcome gets the majority of snaps with the No. 1 unit and senior Richard Samuel reps with the ones as well.
SEPARATED AT BIRTH?
Richardson
Gurley
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291 comments Add your comment
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
10:30 am
UGA has four running backs like LSU last year
DogDoc
August 21st, 2012
10:32 am
let us pray (you’ll pardon the expression) that this season CMR sees the light – sees what 9l,000 fans see – and substitutes AM when he mentally and physically fatigues after the first half. Let us ferverently hope as well that our soft-hearted coach holds his compassion for the suffering of our opponents (after we may have scored a few more points than they) till after the game. Yes a killer instinct wins games. Unseemly ferocity (within the rules) wins games (See Auburn vs. UGA, 2011). After we triumph there’ll be time enough for man-hugs to be bestowed upon our worthy opponents.
Paddy
August 21st, 2012
10:36 am
Keith Marshall Rocks………….Sorry pal, KM deserve nothing, let alone the majority of carries as a frosh. If he earns those carries in practice he will get his share. Entitlements don’t work in our society. And they sure are not any bi-product of succes in major college football. He sees like a good kid, let him make his own future, not hand it to him.
Let me splain some things to you all
August 21st, 2012
10:42 am
The last couple of years, we have seen tons of TIDE fans on this blog. A few years ago they were LSU fans and Gators. Actually, these clowns never went to ANY of these fine schools. They are day trippers. The team winning at the moment is THEIR TEAM. They go to Walmart and purchase caps with THEIR SCHOOL’s insignia and stroll around the mall. It makes them feel important.
They pick the MNC team of that year and roll with it. Auburn had TONS of “fans” last year for about three weeks and even that went away. Oregon ALSO has “fans” here because of their goofy uniforms but that is another story.
Yes, whether a LSU or Alabama or former Gator “fan” they come here to trash talk the Dogs. It apparently makes them feel good. Afterall, I suspect that they ahve NOTHING TO Do or anywhere to go.
Go Dogs
UGA class of 71 & 73
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
10:45 am
Gurley is the back that we have been missing since knowshon. He can do everything. Malcome can bust it between the tackles and finish runs. Marshall can take it on the outside and take it to the house at any moment. Gurley can do both and this is why he will lead the team in rushing this year. Its sad but Samuel is an afterthought and will probably only get meaningful snaps on passing downs, but he is a reliable blocker and we definitely will need that.
And to the tide trolls there is not one UGA fan that has compared Gurley to Trent Richardson bc no one has seen him, but for a player of Shawn Williams caliber to say that it gets me excited.
GATA
'94 UGA Alumnus
August 21st, 2012
10:45 am
It is a little premature (to say the least) to compare Gurley to any player, much less a former Heisman candidate. Talk about setting a guy up for disappointment.
I am glad to hear he’s doing well and staying humble but to compare him to Richardson is absolutely ridiculous at this point.
Hurt Kurbstreit
August 21st, 2012
10:47 am
I’m liking this Gurley man. I think we got a good’un there.
JK
August 21st, 2012
10:54 am
As far as build goes, Gurley is actually the size of Adrian Peterson at 18 years old.
bucket
August 21st, 2012
10:56 am
Hey y’all, watch me misspell Dawgs and make fun of UGA! I’m so cool!!!
Ga Dawg81
August 21st, 2012
11:00 am
Gurley and Marshall have the mind set that is needed to be good team players. One thing we all need to remember is that there is a lot more than just running the ball at this position. You have to be able to pick up your blocks and have vision on the edges to do this. It is totally different in front of 90,000 than it is in practice. Game speed is different as well. A blitzing backer or a bull rush by a defensive end can blow right past you in a blink of a eye. I trust Coach Richt will make the right decision on who plays.
I would like to respond to the Bama folks on a few things. Your program has more SEC and Ntl. titles than ours. You have a great fan base and a outstanding coach. You deserve to be on top of the mountain but don’t come here belittling the fact that UGA is not where you are. We have pride in our school and program as well. We are not Sisters Of The Poor. We have won 12 SEC titles and Coach Richt can claim several. As an alumni and one who wore the uniform I take great disdain to see my school badgered. If I am doing my math correctly, Coach Richt owns a winning record against Alabama. Obviously he can not claim a national championship but hopefully he will
bring us one soon. If you are so content on bashing UGA day in and day out then you have a problem. Most of the so called “Bama” fans on here are actually Tech fans . I was once told if you do not have anything positive to say then keep it to your self.
Go Dawgs !!!!
Fair n Balanced
August 21st, 2012
11:02 am
This kind of talk is WAY too early. Let’s shut this down now!
Scotty
August 21st, 2012
11:05 am
I wish only the best for this young man. Such a pleasure to see a well grounded young man who works hard and stays out of trouble at the running back position for the dawgs. Georgia has produced some great running backs thru the years and I hope we add this young man to the list!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
11:11 am
Dwags not didn’t we hear all this Miss St isn’t the Miss St of old and they are going to be tough a few years back? I will believe Vandy isn’t still Vandy when I see it. I think this years Vandy is the Miss St of 2009-2010. A lot of talk with little results so far. I will wait until the years end to have a solid opinion on if they are going to be a New VANDY.
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:13 am
@ Ga Dawgs81…WELL said sir. Class of 1996 via the US Air Force…Go Dawgs!
a.p. dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:15 am
Since we are comparing Gurley to Richardson, I wonder if Gurley has a booster furnished, pimped out SUV yet? I wonder if he has an autograph deal with a local haberdasher in Athens yet? When these things occur, we can then begin the comparisons to Richardson.
Hines Word
August 21st, 2012
11:18 am
Gurley is manly!
truedawg
August 21st, 2012
11:18 am
Roll tide…much like comparing any RB from bama is foolish, if trying to compare them to 34…
Love this kids attitude! I think we finally have a good group of backs and will be able to run the ball well. These next 11 days need to fly by!! Go Dawgs!!!
Dawg man
August 21st, 2012
11:19 am
People please. Turn back the clock 12 months. This is the same stuff people were saying about Crowell. Let the kid get on the field and play. Stop being so quick to compare him to someone else. Relax already
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:23 am
I am praying the o-line proves everyone wrong. If we can consistently run the ball which is a big if we will be very hard to beat. UGA finishes #1 in the nation in total D this year book it.
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:25 am
@Dawg man… the difference is this year that Gurley doesn’t have to be the man. Last year we had no other option than Crowell. The pressure is not on Gurley. And no one is comparing Gurley to anyone. This is simply the AJC taking a teammates comment way too far and blowing it out of proportion.
sic dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:27 am
DOES NOT MATTER WHO RUNS THE BALL
their going to get killed.
No offensive line
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:30 am
@sic dawg… why have you seen them play? or do you just take everyone else word for it that says its the weak link. lets wait to judge until after the mizzou game.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 21st, 2012
11:33 am
Pretty sure Richardson had a better O-Line than that patch-work line that Gurley has.
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:34 am
@ bham dawg….like I stated previously, we (UGA) now have four fresh running backs to rotate into the game which is great! O-line will come along. Look at LSU last year who had four, count em, four fresh running backs all game long. I think it is awesome that one guy does not have to shoulder all of the running game. Lot od versitility this year. GO DAWGS!
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:35 am
Let’s not forget UGA’S passing game folks….how many yards from Murray last year?
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 21st, 2012
11:38 am
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:34 am
@ bham dawg….like I stated previously, we (UGA) now have four fresh running backs to rotate into the game which is great! O-line will come along. Look at LSU last year who had four, count em, four fresh running backs all game long. I think it is awesome that one guy does not have to shoulder all of the running game. Lot od versitility this year. GO DAWGS!
—————————
Pretty sure that LSU had a better o-line than the dogs too.
LOL
woofman
August 21st, 2012
11:38 am
can’t wait to see if the OL is all hype or if they are really going to be improved. Not worried about the RBs except for pass blocking skills. they can run but can can any pick up a blitz?
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 21st, 2012
11:38 am
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:35 am
Let’s not forget UGA’S passing game folks….how many yards from Murray last year?
—————————-
And the INT’s to complement?
Paddy
August 21st, 2012
11:41 am
bham dawg………not eveyrone was/is down on our O-Line. I have stated, like others, that our line wll be a source of pride this season. We had a unproductive line the past two years, even w/ 3 NFL draftees. Can it really be any worse???????
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:43 am
@ Nothing…..did not say our passing game was perfect and I agree the turnovers and int’s killed this team. This all talk before the season even starts….but who is your team again?
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:43 am
@Nothing Could Be Finer… when looking at a QB you compare td to int ratios. Obviously the more you throw the more oppertunities you have for interceptions. take all the qbs from the sec last year the td to int ratio is pretty comparable.
Big Crimson 75
August 21st, 2012
11:47 am
Columbus
August 21st, 2012
10:05 am
Are there really any football teams in Alabama? Huh. If they are im sure they have to get their players from the state of Georgia or other surrounding states because there certainly isnt no football talent in that state. Nothing to be proud of when your entire roster comes from other states.. Embarassing really…thats like rooting for a team from another country in the Olympics or something if you really look at it honestly.
——
When you have no clue what you’re talking about, probably a good idea to keep your thoughts to yourself. You’re just another clueless dwag. Right, what would Bama do without all these great players from ga?? They’ve contributed so much to our last 2 Nat’l Titles. I agree — without Darius Hanks….no way we win either Title!!
Which HS in Ga did Gurley attend?
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:50 am
Hell…Mareno came from NJ
Terry
August 21st, 2012
11:53 am
I dropped my fried twinkie, I wouldn’t say that Richardson is great looking to women, they probably can’t see him for the $$$ sign’s in their eyes. LOL
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 21st, 2012
11:53 am
Doesn’t matter what State your players were recruited from…it is how they produce and how they are coached when they get to thier respective schools.
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
11:55 am
@Paddy… i don’t think people understand how big of a liability Justin Anderson was on the edge. When he wasn’t jumping offsides he was constantly getting beat. I know he is a true frosh but Theus is a huge step up from Anderson.
Big Crimson 75
August 21st, 2012
11:57 am
bham — I wake up feeling awfully convivial today……and read this post from Columbus.
Would you care to educate the un-educated?
I’ve tried, they don’t listen to me.
Alabama HS produces terrible football players??…..what can be said to someone that actually/probably believes this? Should one use names from the last 4 to 5 yrs? Julio Jones, Marcel Dareus, Dre Kirkpatrick, Nick Fairly?
How bout last yrs recruits?…..the top ranked QB in the country – Jaimes Winston or one of the top 3 RBs in the Country — TJ Yeldon.
………and please tell me these ga kids that have contributed to our success at Bama.
My convivial nature is being tested.
ugab
August 21st, 2012
11:58 am
Richardson had blocking. Gurley will have to earn his keep w a young OL.. Just be yourself and run the ball, secure the ball.. DGD
Alphare
August 21st, 2012
12:00 pm
Curly is too tall to be Richardson as a RB.
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
12:01 pm
UGA and Bama recruit the same way. They try to lock down the top talent in the state and then go outside the state for the blue chippers. Does it always pan out no. Do we get the top talent from the state every year most but not all. Same goes for bama.
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
12:04 pm
@Big C… if bama didn’t recruit well in state they would not be where they are now. I don’t know the exact number but i would say over 80% of bama’s roster hails from the state of alabama. Same with georgia you have to recruit well in state to be able to compete period.
Big Crimson 75
August 21st, 2012
12:06 pm
Why do I go on a UGA blog and talk about Bama?
Because the Bama Blogs have all the words misspelled and the grammar is awful.
I did not attend UA I graduated from Samford.
bham dawg
August 21st, 2012
12:06 pm
And anyone that says alabama doesn’t have good high school football is just misinformed. Georgia has 5 times the population of Alabama hence the amount of talent that comes out of highschool every year. Anyone that thinks alabama doesn’t have good highschool football i suggest watching hoover play prattville this year.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
12:06 pm
Deals being made……..Tell them you saw the ad on the UGa Blog.
OK you DAWGS Deals are being made. Great family and cute Bulldog puppies. Check the site and get you your own Uga.
Location Riverstone Trail, Monroe, Georgia 30655
Phone 1 (404) 569-9235
Too cute!
A real dWag has to have one.
http://www.englishbulldogpuppychase.com/puppies/2012/gallery/gipper/large/gipper-06.jpg
Don4654
August 21st, 2012
12:08 pm
Agreed,Bham Dawg.
Big Crimson 75
August 21st, 2012
12:08 pm
bham — Thank you.
Signs of intelligent life here after all.
….and yes, their is no such thing as a Program, especially in the South, that doesn’t rely HEAVILY on in state talent for the bulk of their players!! 80% sounds about right.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
12:09 pm
Bi Cri……just made a Bird House about 2 weeks ago for the “Sound of the South” to be auctioned to raise money for the new Band Building on campus.
Terry
August 21st, 2012
12:09 pm
Big Crimson 75, I wouldn’t take it so personal, Columbus was just rattling your cage, isn’t that what you like to do to us Dawg Fans, if you can’t take it, don’t dish it out, I would have through, you would have known, the ends and outs of being a Troll. LOL
Big Crimson 75
August 21st, 2012
12:10 pm
@12:06 — use your own name guy.
No need to hide.
Say what you gotta say and move on.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
12:12 pm
@12:06 — use your own name guy.
Bi Cri not the real U at 12:06?