Wisconsin
Melvin Gordon III, Wisconsin Badgers
The state of Wisconsin has produced its fair share of top-flight football players. For example, Waukesha native J.J. Watt has established himself as one of the greatest defensive players of all-time. And while Watt fits the mold of the typical Wisconsin-born star as a defensive or offensive lineman, the state has also produced one of the best running backs in college football history.
Former Wisconsin Badgers tailback Melvin Gordon III was born in Kenosha in 1993. When he arrived in Madison, Gordon had to wait patiently behind star running backs Montee Ball and James White for his opportunity to shine. Gordon gained just 98 yards in an injury-shortened true freshman season, and added 621 as a redshirt freshman. He scored a combined four rushing touchdowns (plus one receiving TD) in his first two years on campus. But he showed explosive ability by averaging 8.8 yards per carry over that span.
Gordon emerged as the team’s top rushing threat in 2013, and led the Badgers with 1,609 yards, which ranked second in the Big Ten – while still sharing the load with White. He also averaged 7.8 yards per attempt.
In 2014, Gordon exploded for 2,587 rushing yards, which stands as the second best total ever for an FBS player in a single season, and 29 rushing touchdowns, the fifth most ever recorded in a season. He also broke Ladainian Tomlinson’s single-game rushing record with 408 yards in three quarters against Nebraska, but lost the title the following week. A unanimous All-American, Gordon also won the Doak Walker Award and finished to Marcus Mariota in the Heisman Trophy race.