If Todd Gurley is on the plane with the Bulldogs on Friday, he’ll play against Arkansas the next day. But he won’t make the trip if he remains ineligible.
In relaying that information to reporters after Wednesday’s practice, coach Mark Richt caused some confusion. Initially he made it sound as if Georgia expected to receive a final decision on the star tailback’s eligibility status before the Bulldogs depart for Little Rock a little after lunch Friday.
“If he’s eligible to play, he’ll travel. If he’s not, he won’t,” Richt said after the Bulldogs’ two-hour workout.
Asked if he expected to hear something from the NCAA by Friday, Richt said, “I would think so. … He’s either able to play or not. … We’ll definitely know in plenty of time before we get on the plane.”
But after tweets went out to that effect, UGA sports communications director Claude Felton went back to the coach to seek clarification.
“We’re not saying we expect a final decision by Friday,” Felton told reporters.
In the meantime, Athletic Director Greg McGarity and the rest of Georgia’s senior administrators and compliance officers flew to Indianapolis on Wednesday evening. But it wasn’t to address Gurley’s eligibility status with NCAA officials. It was go before the NCAA’s committee on infractions in its case against coach Jack Bauerle and the UGA men’s swimming program.
Felton said “it’d be unlikely” that UGA officials would discuss anything but that infractions case while in Indianapolis.
So for at least another day, Gurley remained on indefinite suspension while UGA’s investigation into allegations that he may have accepted illegal benefits continues. Gurley has been accused by a memorabilia dealer of autographing merchandise for money.
The Bulldogs are making moves that would indicate they expect to play without Gurley. On Tuesday, they moved defensive back J.J. Green to tailback, where he played in 13 games last season and finished as the team’s second-leading rusher.
After Green’s second day of practice at his old position, Richt said Green is transitioning well.
“His recall of things we’ve done in the past is very good,” Richt said. “There are a few things he had to get up to speed on. But he’s a pretty sharp guy, and (running backs) coach (Bryan) McClendon feels like he’s learning quickly. I think he can help us in a pinch.”
Richt does not expect Keith Marshall to contribute. The junior tailback continues to recover from right knee and ankle injuries.
“I’d say he’s doubtful for this game at best,” Richt said.
Gurley’s teammates remain hopeful that he’ll return, but express confidence that they can win regardless of whether he makes the trip. Gurley didn’t make it to Missouri last week, and the Bulldogs rolled 34-0.
“I hope so; I’m waiting to see what’s going on, too,” linebacker Jordan Jenkins said Wednesday. “It’s the same as it was last week. It’s something we want, but we just continue to practice hard and make sure everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to do. Because we’re going to play hard if we have Todd or we don’t have Todd.”
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