Todd Gurley

When healthy, Gurley has proven he has the unique skill set to warrant first-round consideration. The 6-foot-1, 232-pounder boasts a combination of vision, power and acceleration which earned comparisons to Marshawn Lynch and former All-Pro Jamal Lewis from NFL scouts. Gurley was in the Heisman conversation in 2014 with 773 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in six games before missing four games due to an NCAA suspension for accepting money for autographs. In his first game back, Gurley suffered a season-ending torn ACL. He still rushed for 911 yards on 7.4 yards per carry in 2014, and finished his Georgia career with 3,285 yards on 6.4 yards per carry and rushed for 36 touchdowns in three seasons. He added 615 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns and two kickoff return touchdowns. With youngster Nick Chubb putting up Gurley-like production in his absence, some wonder if both backs aren't benefiting from outstanding offensive-line play at Georgia. The talent at running back could actually allow NFL teams to devalue the position a bit in this draft. In a case of supply and demand, teams could elect to draft other positions, believing a good back like Minnesota's David Cobb could be found in the middle rounds.

reads the first line of attack very well and senses daylight to hit holes with authority and quickness to stick-and-go, accelerating extremely well in his cuts. knows how to shift his weight extremely well for a 232-pounder and strings together moves with devastating jump cuts and long strides to eat up yards.

Soft, natural hands out of the backfield and is a willing, cognizant blocker in pass protection.

strengths

Built for the NFL with a muscle-bound, physical frame and naturally lowers his pads and squares his shoulders to attack the line of scrimmage and bounce off defenders. He runs with natural balance, power and momentum that makes him tough to slow down, rarely conceding with the first tackler.

compares to

Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks -- Like Lynch, Gurley is best known for simply bowling over defenders, but each back's success is also a testament to good vision, surprisingly light feet and balance to bounce off would-be tacklers.

weaknesses

Bit taller than ideal. Torn ACL in November of 2014 a big red flag that will cause pause for NFL teams with a timetable for return around mid-August. Also missed three games in 2013 due to an ankle injury, so durability concerns are significant, especially considering the physical punishment he has absorbed in the SEC over the past three seasons.

Tarboro, coached by Jeff Craddock

North Carolina Associated Press Player of the Year for 2011

NCPreps.com 2A Player of the Year for 2011

SuperPrep All-Mid-Atlantic Team

ESPN.com four-star prospect, #11 ranked RB, ranked #10 in state of North Carolina overall

Scout.com four-star prospect, #107 player and #13 ranked RB nationally, #5 player in the state

Rivals.com four-star prospect, #5 ranked RB nationally, #42 ranked overall player, #3 player in state of North Carolina

247Sports four-star prospect, #57 ranked overall player nationally, #6 ranked RB nationally, #5 ranked player overall in the state of North Carolina North Carolina Associated Press First Team All State

ESPNHS North Carolina Magazine First Team All State

Won three consecutive 2A State Championships at Tarboro High School

Rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns in 2011 State Championship game

As a senior totaled 2,600 yards and 38 touchdowns

Played RB and safety during his Junior season, totaling 1,472 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, as well as 79 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble

Named Rocky Mount Telegram All-Area Offensive Player of the Year for the 2010 season

Ran Track for Team USA in Europe during the Spring and Summer of 2011.

TODD GURLEY

Born: Aug. 3, 1994; Major: Pre-Business.