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
Contractor
August 21st, 2012
5:30 pm
Throw a curve ball Coach Richt and let the kid start the first game. All heck will not break loose if you do that and mix it up for once. I know a starting roll consists of more than just the most yards during a scrimmage or two, but just do something new. He obviously has the talent to compete, so just make it simple and give the fans something to enjoy while playing crappy Buffalo.
kingdaddy
August 21st, 2012
5:32 pm
Tamp makes an appearance…
Twink my Dad and Grand-dad were clergy and not near the man either one of them were. We’re different is all that I can say. They studied God, I just pushed his buttons. That’s what PKs do…
Danny G
August 21st, 2012
5:41 pm
Ken Malcome is doing better now that he does not have Crowell to lead him down the wrong path. Good job young man for correcting your path and taking advantage of your opportunity.
Big Crimson 75
August 21st, 2012
5:46 pm
King — what would PKs be?
macrotech
August 21st, 2012
5:49 pm
Gotta admit….he has the right attitude! He could prove HUGE for you guys!!!
kingdaddy
August 21st, 2012
5:59 pm
Big Crim.
Preacher’s Kid’s…
Huh?
August 21st, 2012
6:05 pm
Good grief…another UGA running back being hyped before even having played a down….yawn. Nothing new here.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
6:41 pm
kingDaddy……..Bi Cri must not have gone to private school or church too much if he didn’t know PK. LOL the PD was always a great date in high school. LOL
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)Math Tutor
August 21st, 2012
6:56 pm
@ Dawgfan:
Feel free toleave at ANY time and join up with Crowell!!!!!!!!! Y’all would make a good team though I’m not sure which of you would be the leader!!!!!!
There is no room in Dawg Nation for whiners and bitchers like you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)Math Tutor
August 21st, 2012
7:01 pm
@ Contractor:
Malcome deserves to start and then let the new guy/guys play some!!!!!!
Remember, even Herschel didn’t start the opening game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)Math Tutor
August 21st, 2012
7:04 pm
@ King Daddy:
Watch out for twinkie. He is kissing up to you a lot but if y’all get too close you may catch something that Ajax won’t take off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Bulldawgman49
August 21st, 2012
7:04 pm
Wow to be on USA track team and make to the semis for the 110 hurdles I am impress didnt know that about him .
And 4 #1’s . GO Dawgs!!!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
7:09 pm
Brainiac….KingDaddy and I can Scrub it off on the Beach on Tybee Island and drink away the pain at the Dew Drop Inn then have MS drive us home.
Kind Sir
August 21st, 2012
7:17 pm
A quick comparison for those of us who keep track of such things…
In Trent Richardson’s freshman year, he rushed for 751 yards, scoring 8 td’s.
In Knowshon Moreno’s freshman year, he rushed for 1,334 yards, scoring 14 td’s.
In Herschel Walker’s freshman year, he rushed for 1,616 yards, scoring 15 td’s.
——————————————————————————
Point? Nobody knows how good a back is going to be until he gets his chances toting the rock.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 21st, 2012
7:28 pm
KING SIR………….Nice BUT you have to add the number of POS. H Walker had a QB that never/rarely threw the ball. As Offences have changed the Running game is less for the most part.
The NFL draft is devaluing RB’s. Running Backs(for the most part) have moved down the draft board. In the NFL RB’s are their best from 22 to 28 years old and therefore replaceable in the Next Draft.
DAWG77
August 21st, 2012
8:11 pm
RTR can read but does not know what it’s really meant.
7576DAWG
August 21st, 2012
8:31 pm
truth
The difference between Gurley and Samuels is Gurley is not only faster but he hits the creases faster.Gurley will have over 1000 yards this year.
Phoenix Dawg
August 21st, 2012
8:48 pm
Gurley will be starting and he and Marshall will be getting the most reps by game four.
Game Changer
August 21st, 2012
8:49 pm
T Gurley and all backs have chance to be special: They first must play against SEC quality defenses and then some idea of quality will start taking place.
441North
August 21st, 2012
8:56 pm
WE HAVE HIT THE MOTHER LOAD ! WHO NEEDS ealey, king, crowell……..THERE AIN’T NO I IN TEAM……………………………………………………..GATFA
kingdaddy
August 21st, 2012
9:02 pm
Twink, I knew PDs from Southeast Ga. to the North Ga. Mountains, lol…
Brain,
At this point in time I’m in a monogamous relationship and am not trolling, just strolling, lol. Altamaha got me talking about good old times. Twink’s alright, he acts like he doesn’t like the Dawgs but it’s an act. He’s a dang good dwag, whatever that is, lol…
kingdaddy
August 21st, 2012
9:05 pm
GC
You are correct…
bubba4dawgs
August 21st, 2012
10:02 pm
Obama says Trent didn’t do it himself, somebody else did! Don’t you just love that Obama!!
bubba4dawgs
August 21st, 2012
10:07 pm
Hey Big Crimson 75…..Samford are Bulldogs too! So, why in hell would you be for the lowly intelligence of the Crimson Tide? You should be pulling for the real DAWGS!!
Hard Truth Soldier
August 21st, 2012
10:46 pm
Gurley wears # 3, and Marshall #4 is this two headed monster gonna be better than that one headed one that wore # 34? Nope ! Win A Championship, then lets talk greatness later.Gurley and Marshall, practice isn’t the SEC, and just know there is a senior out there looking to move up in the draft, This is the SEC, this is the real deal starting Sept 8.
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)Math Tutor
August 21st, 2012
10:51 pm
@ Twinkie:
If KD says you are okay that is good enough for me and thanks for your civilized response. I sensed from one of your earlier responses that you wanted to play rough but I love that type bantering. Mine is 95% BS.
Rest assured that in the future my posts directed at you will be less vicious!!!!!!
Twinkie = Damn good Jacket!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEC Sportswriter
August 21st, 2012
11:13 pm
S. Carolina has NEVER won three straight against UGA in football. Mark it down, won’t happen this year. SC will be very good, but not good enough to beat UGA this season. UGA will win the SEC Title.
Elephant Dung
August 22nd, 2012
12:52 am
All the great RB’S go to Alabama colleges so they can get paid ! Winners never cheat, but cheaters always cheat! Glad Mr. Gurley picked the good guys!
We Run the East
August 22nd, 2012
6:23 am
Winning streaks don’t die of old age. Sc will whip UGA for 3rd year in a row because SC is a better team. UGA ain’t gonna win that road game. Destin Dawg and others, Vandy will not beat SC next Thursday. Vandy will be emotional and sky high, but by 4th qtr SC will take over.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 22nd, 2012
8:10 am
SEC Sportswriter
August 21st, 2012
11:13 pm
S. Carolina has NEVER won three straight against UGA in football. Mark it down, won’t happen this year. SC will be very good, but not good enough to beat UGA this season. UGA will win the SEC Title.
—————————————-
Until the dogs learn how to tackle Lattimore, the outcome will be the same.
aprilglaspie
August 22nd, 2012
10:11 am
I’d bet the farm that Roll Tide has, at some point, attempted the ludicrous comparison of Trent Richardson to Herschel Walker, so that fool can just STFU.
And Honey Badger didn’t go to rehab for pot.
Georgia’s Branden Smith longs to ‘take it to the house’ | UGA sports blog
August 22nd, 2012
12:19 pm
[...] Freshman Todd Gurley laughs at comparisons to Trent Richardson [...]
Steve Spurrier
August 22nd, 2012
1:44 pm
I’m gonna push it in deep on October the 6th. Prepare your anus.
jalex49
August 22nd, 2012
2:40 pm
I hope the team stays focused on the task at hand and not get distracted. I believe Missouri will be a ready football team and Georgia must not under estimate them. I wish the team, the offense and defensive a outstanding season. If the running backs play together and not get caught up in the hype they will be ok.
I’m excited about the defense and hope they exceeds expectations and at the end of the season ranked within the top 1-5 defenses in the nation.
Murray needs an exceptional season and he has to be more consistent in not throwing interceptions.
GO Gurley, Malcome, Marshall, Samuels, Harton, and the other backs-have a great season and thanks for being a DAWG!!!
P.S. Really excited about the receiving corp!!! Get to the SEC Championship game! I could care less who you play as if the team gets there they will compete. I believe they as a team learned valuable lessons in the LSU game last year and for a few first half mistakes could and should have had LSU on the ropes!
jalex49
August 22nd, 2012
2:47 pm
It’s nice to see that Gurley is grounded and a little humble in his role at Georgia. I believe Marshall is the same way and the impact these two could have at Georgia is really positive. The other backs are a great group of guys and have proven themselves and it nice to see two quality people such Gurley and Marshall added to the mix.
I really hope that some other top quality backs will see opportunities at Georgia and join the fold. Especially if they have the character of these two guys.
Rip Van Winkle
August 22nd, 2012
3:32 pm
1980
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•John Lennon Assassinated
•Mount St. Helens Erupts
•Pac-Man Video Game Released
•Rubik’s Cube Becomes Popular
•Ted Turner Establishes CNN
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Don A. Reams
August 26th, 2012
12:37 pm
I coached Todd in football and track. As long as he stays humble and blesses the Lord for the talents he has been given, he will do Great things at Georgia. I was and am very lucky to have worked with such a fine young man.