2015 NFL Draft: The Big Ten is sending five great running backs to the pros

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Melvin Gordon put together a historic end to his illustrious collegiate career for the Wisconsin Badgers. He was the next in the line of great Wisconsin runners, however, he is in position to become the first to star in the pros in a long time.

In 2014 he ran for the second most yards in NCAA history (2587) to go along with 32 total touchdowns. He finished second in Heisman voting and won the Doak Walker Award, the trophy given annually to the nation’s top back. Gordon scored 49 touchdowns in his college career despite being the team’s true starting running back for just one season. Thus, he hasn’t been hit as much as other backs in the 2015 class and his production is, obviously, off the charts.

All eyes were on him at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine and he lived up to the hype. Gordon ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, which some called disappointing, despite the fact that it was the sixth-fastest time for running backs. He posted the second-fastest shuttle drill time and the third-best broad jump. Gordon neither hurt nor helped himself at the combine. He is still the top prospect at the position this year. I cannot say which team will draft him, but he will be the first running back selected in the 2015 NFL Draft — that much I can guarantee.

Projected Round Selected: Late-First

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