Todd Gurley is ready for the next phase of his football journey.
The former Georgia running back, who was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy before an autograph-signing scandal and then a knee injury derailed his final college season, was on hand for the school’s Pro Day workouts Wednesday.
He was in a reflective mood, after interviewing with several scouts along the sidelines.
“I had a pretty good career,” Gurley said. “I have got a couple of regrets, but then I really don’t, you know. I feel like I had a great career here.”
Gurley elected to enter the NFL draft after his third season, in which he lost four games to a suspension and two to the injury. He still managed to become the school’s second all-time leading rusher behind Herschel Walker.
“Todd Gurley was the top player in this draft before he was injured,” former NFL general manager Charlie Casserly said.
Gurley, who visited Detroit and is set to visit the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, has been frank with NFL teams about his suspension.
“I could have done a lot of things better, but nobody goes through college thinking they went through it perfectly,” Gurley said. “That was my decision to leave. I felt like I was ready to move forward and try to get in the NFL.”
He called his decision to accept money for his autograph a “dumb mistake.”
“It was something that I did my freshmen and sophomore year and I should have never done it,” Gurley said. “I knew the rules, but I still broke them. I’m definitely ready to move on and get on with my life. It’s still going to be something that’s brought up. It’s something that I learned from.”
Instead of getting a Heisman Trophy, as Walker did, Gurley is ready to move on.
“I really try not to think about it,” Gurley said. “I think everybody in the world knows what could have been. But it didn’t (happen), but there is no reason to look back on it and reminisce. I’m just trying to move forward, get back healthy and show what I can do the next year.”
In addition to the visit with the Panthers, Gurley has “five or more” other visits scheduled. He’s vying with former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon to be the first running back selected in the NFL draft, which is set for April 30-May 2 in Chicago.
“It’s not just me and Melvin,” Gurley said. “We are all trying to go as high as possible. But at the end of the day, we’re all going to be happy with where we go.”
Gurley has been rehabbing his torn ACL in Pensacola, Fla. He’s been undergoing twice-a-day rehab sessions, while trying to maintain his upper body strength.
“It’s been kind of hectic right now coming off the combine,” Gurley said. “I’ve got just two good weeks to train.”
Gurley will return to Pensacola on Friday for a week before going out on another round of visits. He’ll have his knee examined by NFL doctors in Indianapolis on April 19.
“With my situation, I can’t do the physical part,” Gurley said. “But it’s a good thing that I’ve got a little film to prove a little something.”
Georgia coach Mark Richt was hand as 19 former Bulldogs participated. He believes that Gurley’s interviews with NFL teams will be beneficial.
“It’s important for people to get to know Todd,” Richt said. “He’s going to do nothing but represent well. He’s very articulate. He knows football. He has a great personality.
“I think he’s the best back in this draft. Actually, he’s one of the best backs that I’ve seen in person.”
Former Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason threw 63 passes on his scripted workout.
“I felt like it went pretty good,” Mason said. “I threw a bad ball on a come-back (route) to the right. I overthrew a couple of deep balls, but overthrowing a couple of deep balls isn’t the worst thing in the world. At least I showed that I can throw it out there.”
Wide receiver Chris Conley, who was a star at the combine, did not try to improve on his outstanding numbers. Defensive back Corey Moore had a 10-foot broad jump, and offensive lineman Mark Beard lifted 225 pounds 25 times.
“I was proud of them,” Richt said.
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