2015 NFL Draft: Ameer Abdullah and Todd Gurley Stampede
By Erik Lambert
Aug 30, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs for long yardage during the first half of the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The running back class of the 2015 NFL draft is already looking awfully good. Who led the way and which other players got started off right?
Abdullah stampedes Florida Atlantic
It’s not bad company when a player is compared to the likes of Warrick Dunn and Jahvid Best. Ameer Abdullah did the best he could to live up to that praise as he helped Nebraska trample Florida Atlantic 55-7. Showcasing his trademark vision, acceleration and speed Abdullah ended the day with 232 yards rushing and a touchdown. Draft scouts will struggle to look past his smaller 5’9” frame, but the running back plays big and has a good head on his shoulders.
Gurley does it all against Clemson
Meanwhile, the Heisman buzz is already up and running for Todd Gurley. The Georgia running back was a favorite before the season even began and he reminded people why by staging a one-man scoring exhibition against overmatched Clemson. Not only did he scorch them on offense for 198 yards and three touchdowns, he added a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown for good measure. There isn’t a thing about his game or his size to gripe about. The only thing holding Gurley back is whether the heavy workload gets him hurt at a bad time.
Brett Hundley weathers Viriginia pressure and keeps poise in win
He made the conscious decision that he wasn’t ready for the pros when Brett Hundley elected to return to UCLA. His choice seems to have been a wise one. Faced with unyielding pressure from the Virginia defense, who sacked him five times, Hundley was able to keep himself under control and not lose his poise. Aided by some big defensive plays, Hundley conducted the offense on a key drive late in the 3rd quarter that resulted in his running the ball in for a touchdown. That score proved the difference, and proved Hundley remains on the 2015 NFL draft radar.