Can Melvin Gordon be a top 5 RB in 2015?

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon was an absolute star in college, but can he translate that success into a huge rookie season?

The Wisconsin Badgers have a long, illustrious history of producing quality college football running backs. However, many of their top runners don’t translate into big NFL stars. I believe that Melvin Gordon will break this trend and will instantly become one of the league’s most dangerous backs.

Yeah you’re right, he hasn’t even been drafted yet and it is insanely early to make such a claim–we don’t even know where he’ll be playing–but he is just on a different level than the Wisconsin runners that came before him.

In 2014, he ran for 2587 yards, the second-most in NCAA football history, and 29 touchdowns. The amazing part is that he did so on just 343 attempts; that was good for a 7.5 average per carry. His 32 total touchdowns on the season were tops in the nation and he, literally, ran away with the Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the country’s top running back.

His career 7.79 yards per carry is the highest in college football history (minimum 500 attempts). Think about that. No runner has ever gained more yards per rush than Gordon and I believe that success will continue in the pros. Why? Look what he did against his two SEC opponents in 2014.

Gordon faced LSU and Auburn this past season and he showed why he is the real deal against both of them. Against LSU he ran for 140 yards and one score on just 16 carries (8.8 yards per rush). However, it was in the Badgers’ bowl game against Auburn that he really shined. In that game he ran for 251 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries (7.4 yards per rush). Of course, I don’t think many people have forgotten about his 408 rushing yard, four touchdown performance in three quarters against Nebraska either.

Next: His Success Will Translate to the Pros