With Georgia running back Todd Gurley currently serving an indefinite suspension, the question remains when the Heisman frontrunner should be expected back on the field wearing a Georgia football uniform. According to one report out of Atlanta, the odds may not be too good.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is citing a source close to the NCAA investigation of Gurley in suggesting it is a realistic possibility Gurley could miss the rest of the regulars season. Gurley was initially reported to have taken $400 for signing memorabilia, but the AJC report is based on information suggestion there is much more to the story. The availability of harder evidence connecting Gurley to a violation of NCAA rules also seems to be the case here, which is one step beyond a similar case involving former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the summer of 2013.
The timing of the investigation is also important here as well, when compared to the Manziel situation. With the Manziel investigation taking place over the summer last year, there was more time for the NCAA to operate and come to a decision. This incident relating to Gurley surfaced in the middle of the season, which can make things a little more difficult to run smoothly. The timing also puts a team in a worse situation because the player has to sit out while the investigation is ongoing, otherwise the school risks having to vacate any potential wins.
What first needs to be determined is whether or not Gurley did accept payments for signing memorabilia or other goods. If he did, then the NCAA needs to determine how much Gurley accepted. The amount of the payments will then determine how much time Gurley would have to miss.
