Gurley remembers a bruisin' from new/old Rams teammate Ogletree
ST. LOUIS -- When Rams 2015 first-round draft pick Todd Gurley joins his new teammates in St. Louis, there will be a familiar face among them, albeit on the opposite side of the ball.
Linebacker Alec Ogletree, a first-round draft pick of the Rams in 2013, played at the University of Georgia, where Gurley began his collegiate career as a running back in 2012. During Gurley's first Bulldog camp, the linebacker delivered a hit during a goal-line drill that left an impression.
"Man, I felt that," Gurley recalled. "I was like, from that day forward, 'I'm running low.'"
Fortunately, the relationship wasn't bruised long-term.
"I've got a good relationship with him," Gurley said. "It will be good to get back there with him, team up. That's one of the best players I ever played with."
He couldn't confirm, however, if Ogletree had texted him in the selection's immediate aftermath.
"I haven't checked my phone," Gurley admitted. "I'm pretty sure he did."
Regardless, Ogletree was prolific welcoming his old and new teammate on social media as he retweeted congratulations from people showing love for the new pair of Georgia Bulldogs in St. Louis. About an hour after the pick, Ogletree's timeline had close to 80 such messages.
@STLouisRams yall are doing the right thing by picking up the Georgia boys @B_easy_uga9 @TG3II #DawgPound #DawgsInTheNFL
— GuWop (@imsoilly24) May 1, 2015
@GA_Edits @UGASPIKESQUAD @B_easy_uga9 @TG3II I'm getting Rams gear!
— Steve B (@IslandTimeDawg) May 1, 2015
Rams defensive end Chris Long, linebacker James Laurinaitis and wide receiver Tavon Austin also gave shout-outs to their new teammate via social media.
Welcome my new brother @TG3II to the Rams ? #RamsNation
— Tavon Austin (@Tayaustin01) May 1, 2015
And an ex-Rams running back, Steven Jackson, tweeted his appreciation to his former employer for drafting a runner in the first round -- something that hadn't happened since 2012.
Thank you @STLouisRams for drafting a running back in the 1st round of the @NFL Draft! Congrats to @TG3II. #SaveTheRunningBack #STRB
— Steven Jackson (@sj39) May 1, 2015
At least one felicitation, however, was slightly more old-fashioned. Rams coach Jeff Fisher received a text from former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George five or so minutes after the Rams drafted Gurley 10th overall.
"Congratulations," the text read. "Great pick."
You can follow Elisabeth Meinecke on Twitter at @lismeinecke or email her at ecmeinecke@gmail.com
