Will Todd Gurley Succeed In The NFL ?

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When healthy, Todd Gurley was the best running back in college football. His set of traits don’t come around very often. His size, speed, agility, quickness, cutting ability and power are all impeccable. But, once he is back to 100 percent, will that translate into the NFL?

When you think about running backs in the NFL, who is the first guy you think of other than Adrian Peterson? The guy I think of is Marshawn Lynch. And according to NFL.com, Gurley’s NFL running back comparison is Lynch. So, what qualities do these two men actually share?

There is no questioning Lynch’s ability to shed tacklers, which is something Gurley has made a career of doing. And another is Lynch’s ability to convert speed to power. This comparison is perfect on paper. However, nothing is set in stone.

Lets take a look at another former SEC running back who’s NFL career never took off the way many thought it would. Darren McFadden was one of the best SEC running backs of all time, who like Gurley also returned kickoffs. His numbers at the University of Arkansas speak for themselves, but injuries have put a huge damper on his 7-year career.

Another huge bust was also a great SEC running back by the name of Trent Richardson. He was the feature running back of the 2011 National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide and also returned kickoffs. NFL.com quoted Richardson as being, “compact and coiled an athlete as the position has seen since Adrian Peterson.” Oh how they were wrong.

All four of these men were drafted 12th or higher. Lynch was drafted 12th while Richardson was taken third overall and McFadden was nabbed with the fourth pick overall.

There are a lot of things that go into being a great NFL quarterback. College success, doesn’t always translate over into the NFL, that is just how the cookie crumbles sometimes. We as Rams fans all hope that critics are right about comparing Gurley to Lynch. If Gurley has a career anywhere near as good as Lynch’s than he will make for yet another outstanding running back in Rams history.