Melvin Gordon might be the most explosive player to ever play in a Wisconsin Badgers uniform.
Just think about that for a second as Wisconsin has recently rostered current NFL Superstars like Joe Thomas, J.J. Watt and Russell Wilson.
If Gordon keeps doing what he’s doing, he will surely make his case and could make a run at college football’s most prestigious award, the Heisman.
Here’s what needs to happen for him to make that run:
1.) Help the Badgers Win (Most Important Step)
– As we’ve learned from previous years, the winner of the Heisman Trophy has to be on a winning team, specifically one that makes a splash on a national stage. Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel secured the award last year with his signature performance against Alabama. Melvin Gordon’s big test will be this week when the #23 Badgers go up against #4 Ohio State in Columbus. If Gordon can run wild against the Buckeyes stout defense and help the Badgers pull off the upset, he’s well on his way to the award.
2.) Keep Putting Up Video Game Numbers
– The numbers Gordon has been putting up are not only video game like, they’re something we’ve never seen before. His 9.9 career yards per carry average is the highest in the BCS era (dating back to 1998); Florida’s Percy Harvin had a career average of 9.5. As of now, he averages 13.3 yards per carry which is baffling when you take in that the sophomore running back has amassed 140 yards or more in each of his last four games. The kid gets limited work yet leads the nation with 624 rushing yards and 11.8 yards per carry (can you say prototypical home-run threat?).
3.) Become a Twitter Trend
– Today’s Heisman candidates need to be in the headlines and part of the discussion as much as possible. Gordon is almost always the most talked about player when the Badgers take the field, but he needs to dominate the headlines during the newsweek. It all starts today when Gordon was named the Big Ten’s co-offensive player of the week with Ohio State’s senior quarterback Kenny Guiton; makes for a good storyline going in to the Badgers big match-up with the Buckeyes. Gordon also has an interesting appeal because he’s usually behind senior running back James White on the depth chart. The dilemna makes for better buzz and ultimately helps Gordon because it shows how great of a teammate he truly is. When a player is as explosive as Gordon it is, it just may be possible to see an unselfish Heisman Trophy Winner.
Do you think Melvin Gordon can win the Heisman? Let me know by commenting below.
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He also enjoys sharing Fantasy Advice and pretends to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best. If social media is not your thing, shoot him an email at grays@uwalumni.com.
*Pictures obtained from