SEC Football history: 50 best players of all time

37. Best SEC football players of all time: Todd Gurley, Georgia football

The University of Georgia has become a factory for producing NFL running backs, churning out players seemingly every season who go on to play at the pro level. One of those products is Todd Gurley, who stepped in as a freshman for the Bulldogs and would go on to be one of the more productive backs in the school had ever seen.

There were plenty of highlight moments for Gurley, including his first game ever, when he rushed for over 100 yards against Buffalo while also returning a kick 100 yards for a score. He was amazing as a freshman, racking up nearly 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns, finishing only second to Johnny Manziel in the SEC in rushing.

As a sophomore, Gurley would follow up his All-SEC season by being named a second-team All-SEC back, setting the stage for what should have been a Heisman Trophy campaign as a junior. After dominating in the season opener against Clemson by racking up nearly 250 all-purpose yards, Gurley seemed destined to at least be a finalist for the award, but his season went sideways after a 208-yard effort against Tennessee, and a 163-yard showing against Vanderbilt.

Gurley was suspended after the Vanderbilt game, missing four games. In his return, he tore his ACL against Auburn. He finished with over 900 yards in only six games, choosing to leave for the NFL after the season. All told, he ended his career No. 2 in school history in yards and rushing touchdowns.