Wisconsin Badgers 2015 NFL Scouting Combine Roundup: How Did Melvin Gordon and Rob Havenstein Fare?

Melvin Gordon shows out

It was a big day for Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin’s workhorse running back. The junior had a strong showing on the field Saturday, and drew some high praise in the form of comparisons to current NFL players.

Here’s how Gordon measured in, and how those measureables compare to a stud RB currently in the NFL.

Gordon looked to live up to the hype at the combine, and posted some big (or small, depending how you look at it) numbers Saturday.

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon runs with the ball in a drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s Gordon’s performances and rankings in the various on-field drills:

• 40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds (5th fastest)

• Bench press: 19 reps (225 pounds) (T-15th best)

• Vertical jump: 35.0 inches (2’11”) (T-15th best)

• Broad jump: 126.0 inches (10’6″) (3rd best)

• 3 cone drill: 7.04 seconds (8th fastest)

• 20 yard shuffle: 4.07 seconds (2nd fastest)

• 60 yard shuffle: 11.0 seconds (fastest time, new combine record)

Gordon really stood out in the lateral drills – the 20 and 60 yard shuffle drills – finishing second only to Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah in the 20 yard shuffle and setting a new combine record in the 60-yard shuffle.

That lateral quickness will be important in the NFL, as Gordon doesn’t have top-notch burner speed. His speed inside the box and his ability to look for holes in a crowd is what will be really important once he gets to the next level.

With Geogia’s Todd Gurley still injured on the sidelines, Gordon looked like the top back at the combine. Gurley’s situation is obviously unfortunate; had he been healthy the competition between he and Gordon would have been fun to watch play out.

Gurley, who didn’t allow doctors at the combine to examine his injured knee, told the media he is 6-9 months away from a return to the field, which would put him back in action somewhere between rookie minicamps and the middle of the preseason.

While we didn’t get to see a showdown between the top two prospects, Gordon took advantage of his time on the field and gave NFL teams plenty to think about when their draft slot turns up.

Next: Rob Havenstein underwhelms