Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon Declares For NFL Draft

Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon has practically done it all during his junior season with the Badgers breaking records, winning games, and finally being named a Heisman Trophy finalists. Today, Gordon will go out on top, making his intentions clear that he will forgo his senior season and become eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft. Gordon told The Chicago Tribune that he would officially declare his move on today’s episode of the Dan Patrick Show.

The junior has dominated practically all-opposing defenses, leading the FBS with 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns. More impressively, he has done so averaging 7.56 yards-per-carry, showing the NFL scouts he is almost impossible to stop.

In the process, Gordon broke LaDanian Tomlinson’s long-standing record of 406 rushing yards in game with 408 yards, only to watch his record broken the following week. Gordon could bring another record down if he’s able to accumulate 293 yards, crushing Barry Sanders’ 26-year old record of rushing yards in a season.

Nonetheless, Gordon made the intelligent decision to forgo his senior season and become draft eligible. In recent years, many running backs have suffered serious injuries during their senior campaign, and it’s smart move for Gordon to avoid putting the extra mileage on his body.

NFLDraftScout.com projects Gordon to be a late-first round pick, leading all running backs in the class. Still, running backs are typically judged by how they perform at the NFL combine and Gordon must test well in order to preserve his high rating.

Gordon has a few more major tests to overcome before he wraps up his college career and it all begins with the announcement of the Heisman Trophy. Then, Gordon will take his final bow when the Badgers square off against the Auburn Tigers on Jan. 1 in the Outback Bowl.

 

*Section Photo credit to Michael Hickey, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Jeff Hanisch, USA Today Sports. 

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