National Football League

How Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon keeps fueled during draft process

Published Feb. 16, 2015 7:01 p.m. ET

Ross Jones

CARLSBAD, Calif. — For as valuable as running backs are on the field, the position finds itself on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to the NFL Draft and free agency.

No running back has been selected in the first round since 2012. Running back Ben Tate reportedly earned a two-year deal worth up to $7 million last year on the open market, topping all players at his position.

Absorbing brute punishment and largely tossed aside once free agency arrives, the once-glamorous position has hit rock bottom. Former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon wants to break that trend.

"When I was coming up, everyone wanted to be a running back," Gordon told FOXSports.com. "Now everyone wants to be a cornerback or a wide receiver, and nobody wants to be a running back because people feel like they're devalued.

"I know there are other running backs out there that feel the way that I do, and we want to show kids that running backs can go in the first round, too. It's a possibility. You just have to put some work in, and that's what I'm trying to do right now."

Gordon's junior season was one to remember in Madison. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound home run hitter topped the nation in rushing with 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns. Gordon also finished with the second-most rushing attempts (343) in the country behind just Boise State's Jay Ajayi.

But what makes Gordon extra special is his ability to take the ball from anywhere on the field and turn it into a big play. Gordon's race to 2,000 rushing yards last season came in the fewest attempts ever, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Gordon's rare blend of vision, speed and body control was on full display when he broke the NCAA FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards on 25 carries against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, surpassing the previous mark that LaDainian Tomlinson set in 1999 for TCU. Oh, and Gordon did that in just three quarters of work.

"I just want to bring my explosiveness to the next level," Gordon said. "I'm a playmaker. I feel like I can make some explosive plays. When I get there, I just want to learn from a vet what it means truly to be a pro. Once I get it down and the things I need to make it, I want to show people that I can make big plays on this level as well."

The secret to Gordon's elusiveness is his patience, acceleration and change of direction. Trusting his offensive linemen, Gordon can downshift as quickly as he can put his foot on the gas. And when he does open up to his sixth gear, he's typically roaring by defenders who have been caught guessing.

As Gordon prepares for the NFL Combine at EXOS training facility, readying for the 40-yard dash has been the priority.

"There's two parts to the 40," Gordon said. "It's the start and then how you finish. You have to get your knees up, and then it's all about how fast you hit the ground."

Heading into the week in Indianapolis, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock ranked Gordon the No. 1 player at his position. With Georgia's Todd Gurley rehabbing a torn ACL, Gordon heads a running back class that's as stacked as any in over a decade.

"I see some say I'm the No. 1 back, but I feel that's only by default," Gordon said. "People are only putting me No. 1 because Todd got hurt. That's been motivating me. People might think that Melvin sees he's No. 1 that he's this and that, but I don't feel that way. I feel like people placed me there because Todd is hurt, so I've been working hard to show people that I am the No. 1 back and that they should look at me that way."

As running backs keep getting cast aside in today's NFL, there will always be a premium on playmakers.

And Gordon, with the ball in his hands and a little space, is just that.