Entering his rookie year in the NFL in 2015, there were plenty of question marks surrounding Todd Gurley.
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Although Gurley was widely considered one of the best running backs in college football, a torn ACL in his junior season in 2014 raised concerns.
Despite the question marks, the then St. Louis Rams took the Georgia Bulldog standout in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the first running back off the board.
Gurley more than lived up to his college hype. Despite missing three games, Gurley ran for over 1,100 yards and recorded ten touchdowns, earning him a Pro Bowl selection amongst the NFL’s elite.
Now, Gurley enters his sophomore campaign in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The Rams now grace a new city and a new stadium.
However, the most important thing that Gurley will have to manage is new expectations. Despite only having one year of experience in the league, the Tarboro, N.C., native is considered one of the top running backs in the NFL.
In the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2016, a poll voted on by the players, Gurley was ranked as the No. 22 best player in the NFL. The only running back ranked higher was Vikings star Adrian Peterson.
The budding NFL star will not only have to deal with the expectations of the players but also with the high hopes of the California crowds. With the Rams move to Southern California, Gurley will have to deal with the expectations of being a franchise player in a big time market.
One could argue that playing at a top SEC school like Georgia prepared Gurley for the biggest stages. Seemingly, Gurley did play his best in big-time games.
My thoughts go back to 2013 and 2014 when he shredded Clemson in two big time games to open those respective seasons. In addition, he performed incredibly in the 2012 SEC Championship, although Georgia fell just short to eventual National Champion Alabama.
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Now with his amazing rookie season, it seems as though no matter the stage, this young man can simply perform.
However, much like New York, the lights shine a little brighter in the city of Los Angeles. Only time will tell what story Gurley will write in his NFL career, but surely, we will all be lucky to watch.
Todd Gurley and the Rams open the season on September 12 when they travel to the San Fransisco 49ers.