When Georgia lost top running back Todd Gurley to an indefinite suspension, and then a season-ending knee injury, the Bulldogs called on a true freshman to fill the void. Chubb was more than adequate as a fill-in ... amazing is more like it.
Chubb burst on the scene in his first start, rushing for 143 yards and a touchdown as Georgia routed Missouri, 34-0, in mid-October. He would start eight games in 2014, and compiled 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing. His 1,547 rushing yards is tied for fourth most in a single season in school history. That's impressive stuff when you consider the running backs who have played at Georgia: 1982 Heisman Trophy winnerHerschel Walker, Terrell Davis, Garrison Hearst, Rodney Hampton, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi. Chubb capped his spectacular season with an SEC bowl record 266 rushing yards in a 37-14 Belk Bowl win over Louisville; that total represented the second-best in a single game in Georgia football history.
Pulling back the curtain on the vote
Chubb earned votes from six of seven CFB 24/7 experts, with four of those votes coming in the top 10. Gurley went No. 10 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft to the St. Louis Rams, but one NFL Media analyst suggests that Chubb might already be as talented as Gurley.
What some of our analysts are saying about Chubb
"After taking over for Todd Gurley last year, the freshman Chubb exploded for eight straight 100-yard games and capped his introduction with 266 against Louisville in the Belk Bowl. He could be the best back in the country this year." -- Chase Goodbread
"Georgia didn't skip a beat in the run game after Todd Gurley was injured last season. Chubb could emerge as the top ball carrier in the nation this fall." -- Daniel Jeremiah
"Everyone was so bummed when Gurley went out for the year that I think too many people slept on just how good Chubb was in Gurley's absence. Chubb already has outstanding combination of burst and balance that helps him overwhelm defenders." -- Lance Zierlein
"Chubb has an elite blend of power, speed, and balance, as well as an outstanding offensive line that could help him cross the 2,000-yard mark this season." -- Chad Reuter
"Nearly as talented as Todd Gurley; others tell me he's more talented. Either way, he will carry Georgia as far as they go." -- Charles Davis
"Hard-nosed runner with outstanding balance and body control. The Bulldogs' offense didn't skip a beat when he stepped in for Todd Gurley in the middle of the season." -- Bucky Brooks
Where do fans rank Chubb?
We asked Twitter users who they considered the best player in college football. Chubb was the top vote-getting player. In 2014, Chubb replaced a player many fans were already following with great interest -- Gurley -- and did so with aplomb.
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