Toby Gerhart admits he feels “pressure” in attempting to replace Chester Taylor as the Vikings No. 2 running back behind Adrian Peterson. But not only does the second round draft choice have the physical skills to run, catch and pass block, his football education at Stanford was exceptional training for his rookie season this fall in the NFL.
Gerhart, who was the runner-up last year for the Heisman Trophy, told Sports Headliners that the offense at Stanford is “comparable” to what he must learn with the Vikings. Similar schemes and plays will help Gerhart transition, but so, too, will the work ethic exemplified by head coach Jim Harbaugh who played 15 seasons in the NFL, coached three seasons at the University of San Diego, then took over a Stanford program following a 1-11 season in 2006.
Stanford was 8-5 last season and has become a program on the rise. Harbaugh had made good on a quote that ESPN The Magazine included in the May 3 issue. “I will attack this job with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind,” Harbaugh said upon being named Stanford coach.
“He taught us what you put into it is what you get out of it,” Gerhart said.
Gerhart had a work ethic when he was a prep star in southern California but Harbaugh’s commitment to succeed made an impression on him. “He made practices fun, up tempo and all about competing,” Gerhart said. “Prior to that (Harbaugh arriving), it wasn’t that way. With him, he pushed every player no matter if you were the best player, or the worst player. …”
With Taylor gone to Chicago after four seasons with the Vikings, we’ll see whether Gerhart can become the replacement. What seems certain, though, is the Vikings will get the rookie’s best effort.