Georgia running back Todd Gurley opts for NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Georgia running back Todd Gurley informed coach Mark Richt that he plans to enter the NFL draft.

Richt said after practice Friday for the Belk Bowl that Gurley won’t return for his senior season. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs face No. 20 Louisville on Tuesday.

The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Gurley was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate and got off to a strong start, but a four-game suspension and a knee injury derailed a promising season.

Richt said Gurley’s rehabilitation is going well and his spirits are high.

He predicted Gurley “will be a very high draft pick.”

“I wouldn’t be shocked to see him doing a lot of things for the scouts before the draft,” Richt said.

Gurley attended practice with his teammates but was not made available for interviews.

The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Gurley ran for 911 yards and nine touchdowns in six games this season, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Gurley was suspended four games in October by the NCAA for taking $3,000 for autographed memorabilia and other items over two years.

In Gurley’s first game back against Auburn, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season.

In his first two seasons at Georgia, Gurley ran for 2,374 yards and 27 touchdowns.

The Georgia running game hasn’t missed a beat since Gurley left, with freshman Nick Chubb handling the load. Chubb rattled off four straight games of at least 143 yards rushing with Gurley out.