Fansided

Best college football running back from every state

By Nicholas Ian Allen

LOUISIANA, NO - JANUARY 1: Running back Herschel Walker #34 of the University of Georgia Bull Dogs carries the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Sugar Bowl game January 1, 1981 at the Louisiana Superbowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bull Dogs won the game 17-10. Walker played at the University of Georgia from 1980-1983, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
LOUISIANA, NO - JANUARY 1: Running back Herschel Walker #34 of the University of Georgia Bull Dogs carries the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Sugar Bowl game January 1, 1981 at the Louisiana Superbowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bull Dogs won the game 17-10. Walker played at the University of Georgia from 1980-1983, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Maryland

Todd Gurley, Georgia Bulldogs

Though he played at Georgia and graduated high school in North Carolina, Todd Gurley is a Maryland native. Born in Baltimore, Gurley later attended Taboro High School before signing with Georgia in 2012. And, had he stayed healthy and had he not missed four games because of a memorabilia-related suspension as a junior in 2014, Gurley might have  gone down in history as the greatest running back in Georgia history. Yep, he could have challenged Herschel.

As it stands, Gurley will have to settle for the honor of greatest college running back born in Maryland. Plus, you know, the millions of dollars and Pro Bowl selection that came to him after being drafted by the Rams.

Despite coming to Georgia as the second highest rated running back prospect in his class, Gurley exploded with 1,385 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a true freshman, and ranked second in the SEC in both categories. He also scored on a 100-yard kick return.

Gurley followed that success with 989 rushing yards and 10 TDs on the ground in just 10 games as a sophomore, but also showed his versatility with 37 receptions for 441 yards and six more scores. As a junior, Gurley raced out to the front of the pack in the Heisman race with 773 rushing yards and eight scores in five games, but suspension hit and knocked him off track.

Gurley gained 138 rushing yards and scored once more in his final collegiate performance against Auburn, but suffered a torn ACL against the Tigers and later declared for the draft, foregoing his senior season. He finished with 3,285 career rushing yards, which ranks third in school history behind Walker and Nick Chubb.

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