National Football League

Gordon motivated by not becoming a first-round bust

Published Mar. 11, 2015 7:00 p.m. ET

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MADISON, Wis. -- The best running back in college football last season is seven weeks from realizing his dream of becoming an important piece to the future of an NFL franchise. That much is certain as the 2015 draft quickly approaches.

And yet, the best running back in college football -- a man sure to be an instant millionaire by May -- also openly carries his doubts and fears to serve as motivation: that he is worthy of being an every-down tailback and a first-round pick; that he can break the stereotype of past Wisconsin running backs not succeeding in the pros; that he won't crash and burn despite possessing more talent than perhaps any Badgers running back in history.

Yes, Melvin Gordon certainly has a lot on his mind these days.

"He's going to do whatever it takes to get to that level and not be a bust," said former Badgers receiver Kenzel Doe, one of Gordon's best friends on the team. "You have a lot of people that go first round that are a bust. But he doesn't want to be that guy. He mentions it all the time. He does not want to be a bust. He wants to be that guy that they chose and the guy that is that No. 1 running back."

Gordon participated in Wisconsin's annual pro football timing day Wednesday at the McClain Center, albeit briefly, in front of scouts from 28 NFL teams. Gordon, the center of attention at the event, went through a series of pass-catching drills but did not participate in the 40-yard dash, the vertical leap, the broad jump, the bench press or any other tests. He said he was advised not to run another 40 after clocking a 4.52 at the NFL Combine.

"What I wanted to do today is come out here and catch the ball well," Gordon said. "I knew I would be good on drills. I've been doing that since I got to Wisconsin. A lot of people were wondering, 'Can I catch the ball?' After the combine, I really didn't have too many opportunities to catch the ball away from my body, and I did today. I caught the ball well. I only dropped one unfortunately, but I think it went well today."

Gordon finished his junior season as a Heisman Trophy finalist and the Doak Walker Award winner after rushing for 2,587 yards -- the second-highest FBS total in history -- with 29 touchdowns. And most mock drafts predict he'll be the first running back taken in the NFL Draft.

Teammates who participated in pro day lauded Gordon's skill set after watching his production in college.

"He's just an unbelievable player, an unbelievable person," former Badgers right tackle Rob Havenstein said. "Everything about him to me just screams have me on your team. Melvin is just that type of guy. Obviously he brings the explosiveness, the knowledge, the athleticism. Everything you want in a football player, Melvin's got."

Despite so much praise, there remains more to prove in Gordon's mind. Gordon and Doe have talked and texted frequently about the process leading up to the draft, with Gordon expressing a desire to be a special player at the next level.

"I told him I want to go in and I want to make a statement in the league," Gordon said. "I want to prove to myself first that I can play in this league. Obviously it's a different league. Guys are bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, so I want to prove to myself that I can make it. And I don't want to be a bust, a guy that's just in and out. I want some longevity in this league, and I know you've got to stay, you've got to work hard."

If Gordon latches onto a team and excels, he'll also help to shatter the perception that Wisconsin running backs don't produce in the NFL. Since 1993, Wisconsin has had 12 different players lead the team with more than 1,000 yards rushing. Only one of those players -- Michael Bennett -- ever rushed for 1,000 yards in an NFL season. Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne played seven seasons and did not gain more than 773 yards.

Recent Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball hasn't gained more than 559 yards in two seasons with the Denver Broncos, and James White carried nine times for 38 yards last season for the New England Patriots.

"We're motivated to change that," Gordon said. "Me, Montee and James, we're in a group together and we all said we've got to step up and change that. We all had the opportunity to play in the NFL, and we're still young all three of us. So we can change that perception they have about us. If we go out there and ball and do what we need to do, they won't be saying that anymore, I can tell you that."

There also is the matter of convincing NFL teams that running backs are worthy of first-round picks. The last time a tailback was drafted in the first round came in 2012, and the position has been devalued in a league that has shifted toward high-powered passing attacks.

"Nowadays, you're starting to see the running back status going down a little bit," Doe said. "He doesn't want to be that guy that, 'We can get him second round.' He wants to be that guy where it's, 'We have to take Melvin Gordon first round. We have to take him. He's just that guy. We can't let him pass up.' . . .

"I look at it like you can't pass Melvin up. You just can't. If you do, then you're going to regret it once you play him."

Gordon, for his part, downplayed the importance of being a first-round pick, though he acknowledged it would be "disappointing" if he weren't included in the first 32 selections. He's simply hoping to find a team that wants him. But his drive to succeed won't stop.

"It's what you do when you get there," Gordon said.

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