2015 NFL Draft Watch: Melvin Gordon Is Loose
By Erik Lambert
Sep 20, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) rushes with the football during the third quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 68-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Week 4 brought a slew of exciting games and also several big-time performances. Which 2015 NFL draft prospects stood out the most?
Dak Prescott – QB – Mississippi State
It was going to take a signature win for anybody to start taking notice of Mississippi State and thanks to quarterback Dak Prescott, they got one by upending #8 LSU. Prescott was a nightmare for the Tigers defense, throwing for 268 yards, rushing for 105 and scoring three touchdowns. It ended a 14-game losing streak to LSU and will catapult the Bulldogs into the NCAA rankings as a surprise, and serious, contender.
Melvin Gordon – RB – Wisconsin
He must’ve gotten tired of hearing all the Todd Gurley references because Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon took no prisoners in week 4. On just 13 carries against Bowling Green, he amassed 253 yards and scored five touchdowns for a gaudy 19.5 yards per carry average. It was the kind of performance he needed to keep NFL draft scout on his side after a slow start to the season.
Rashad Greene – WR – Florida State
People have said from the very beginning that Kelvin Benjamin certainly may have the more talent, but that Rashad Greene was the best receiver Florida State had in their national championship run last season. He continues to prove that as his reliability and explosiveness were huge in helping the Seminoles survive an upset bid by Clemson. Undoubtedly the biggest of his nine catches for 139 yards was a 74-yard bomb for a touchdown that tide the game, eventually forcing overtime.
Danny Shelton – NT – Washington
One of the rarer things a team can find in the world of football is a nose tackle who can rush the passer. Danny Shelton, at 339 lbs definitely fits that mold after he dominated Georgia State for 13 tackles and a sack. That gives him seven sacks for the season, good enough for the overall lead in college football. If it took awhile for teams to notice him, they have no choice but to pay attention now.
Marcus Peters – CB – Washington
The same goes for Shelton’s teammate Marcus Peters. Returning from a one-game suspension, the corner was all over the field for the Huskies. His two interceptions proved critical in stopping a bad first half from getting worse as the team fell behind early 14-0. Peters also had another interception that was nullified by an iffy pass interference penalty.