Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon said earlier today on the "Dan Patrick Show" that he is leaving school after this season and entering the NFL draft. Gordon has enjoyed a stellar year with the Badgers this season, rushing for 2,336 yards (including 408 against Nebraska!) and 26 touchdowns on 309 carries.
Gordon is one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy this year. Although the running back position has been devalued, Gordon has a good chance at being a high round draft pick. The league's advisory board gave him a second-round grade last year. His impressive performance this season has only raised his value.
ESPN's draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. listed Gordon as the ninth-best prospect in all of college football in his most recent Big Board. However, no running back has been selected in the first round since Trent Richardson, Doug Martin and David Wilson all came off the board in the first three picks. Richardson and Martin have failed to live up to expectations, while Wilson was forced to retire due to neck injuries.
"I'm just glad he's healthy after a senior year with 300-plus carries," Kiper wrote. "Gordon is an easy accelerator, and he cuts with explosiveness and little wasted motion. He will miss a hole here and there in search of a bigger lane, but he has good vision, isn't afraid of contact between the tackles or on the edge, and has breakaway speed when he gets in space. Here's hoping health doesn't become an issue because of the workload."
Due to the rookie wage scale, it is beneficial for players to leave school earlier so that they can complete their first contracts as soon as possible. This is especially true for running backs who have a notoriously short life span at the NFL level.
