Melvin Gordon

Wisconsin has had an excellent run on running backs over time, most recently Montee Ball and James White. But Gordon, one of three Heisman Trophy finalists last season, has the natural talent to be the best NFL running back the Badgers' program has ever produced. Gordon was already thought of as a borderline first-round pick entering the 2014 season, and then steadily built on his resume as he finished second in FBS history with 427 rushing yards - 41 yards shy of Barry Sanders' record set in 1998. With Todd Gurley's knee injury, Gordon is the odds-on-favorite to be the first running back drafted in the 2015 class. After redshirting in 2011, he saw limited playing time in 2012 behind Ball and White, but produced stats that would have led some other teams in rushing (621 rushing yards, 10.0 yards per carry). With Ball off to the NFL, Gordon and White shared the running back duties in 2013 with White leading the way with carries, but Gordon had a team-best 1,609 rushing yards, averaging 7.8 yards per rush and 123.8 yards per game. He burst onto the national scene on Nov. 15, rushing for a single-game FBS record 408 yards against Nebraska (a record later broken by Oklahoma's Samaje Perine with 427 yards). Gordon broke the old mark of 406 rushing yards set by LaDainian Tomlinson in his TCU days and, amazingly enough, he broke the record on the final play of the third quarter.

weaknesses

Good, but not elite overall athlete. Unproven as a pass-catcher. Only average power. His body type isn't ideal, with a high-cut frame and only average bulk throughout (similar skill-set as Jamaal Charles).

strengths

Well-rounded skill set and is elite in two areas

compares to

Reggie Bush, Lions. Bush?s sheer athleticism and speed allowed him to dominate college football much like Gordon did. While Bush is shiftier, Gordon is stronger, but both guys catch the ball extremely well and have similar body types. Neither had to do much work at the line of scrimmage in college in terms of identifying the hole and being patient. Much like this has hurt Bush in the NFL, it could hinder Gordon.

balance and acceleration. goes zero to 60 in a flash and bursts to top speed quickly with the vision and patience to follow blocks and find holes to daylight.

Has the natural balance to bounce off contact without losing momentum with a physical nature to break arm tackles. Lowers his pads and keeps his legs pumping to generate deceiving power. Hits top speed in a flash to quickly get to the second level and beyond.

Four-star recruit by Rivals and three-star by ESPN/Scouts Inc. and Scout

No. 24 running back in the nation according to Rivals, No. 27 according to MaxPreps, No. 38 according to Scout and the No. 39 athlete according to ESPN/Scouts Inc.

top-ranked player in Wisconsin according to ESPN/Scouts Inc., No. 2 according to Rivals and No. 3 according to Scout

first-team all-state selection by A.P. and WFCA as a senior, also WFCA's Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 38 touchdowns and 2,009 yards on 158 carries and catching three touchdowns passes

Gatorade Player of the Year and conference player of the year

as a junior, tallied 1,098 yards and 11 scores on 99 carries and had five receiving touchdowns

honorable mention all-state and all-region by WFCA, first-team all-area by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and first-team all-county by Kenosha News as a junior

rushed for 1,200 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore

gained over 500 yards rushing and scored 15 touchdowns as a freshman

head coach was Jed Kennedy.

Father is Melvin Gordon

served as teacher's assistant in high school and volunteered serving food at a homeless shelter

coached youth football

majoring in life science communication.