Greatest college football player born in each state
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) stiff arms Auburn Tigers defensive back Johnathan Ford (23) during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The great state of Wisconsin is known for producing many great offensive and defensive linemen, but most of the great skill position players that choose to sign with the state’s only FBS program come from other parts of the country. However, the greatest player in Badger State history had one of the greatest seasons ever for the Badgers in 2014.
A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Melvin Gordon III ran for 2,587 yards – which ranks second on the single-season rushing list behind Barry Sanders’ incredible 1988 season – and scored 29 rushing touchdowns as a junior. Believe it or not, Gordon actually needed only 241 carries to break the 2,000-yard mark, which made him the fastest to 2,000 yards in college football history. He also broke the single-game rushing record with 408 yards in only three quarters against Nebraska (which was unfortunately broken again the very next week).
Gordon accounted for 2,740 total yards and scored 32 touchdowns in 2014, both of which led the nation. He won the Doak Walker Award, was selected as a unanimous All-American and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy behind another player on our list, Marcus Mariota.
His incredible season capped off a strong career for Gordon that included 4,915 career rushing yards – an average of 109.2 per game over the course of his 45-game career.Gordon also scored 45 career rushing touchdowns before leaving for the NFL Draft.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Wisconsin:
- Alan Ameche, FB, Wisconsin
- John Anderson, LB, Michigan
- Jim Bakken, Wisconsin
- Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin
- Jim Leonhard, DB, Wisconsin
- Jim Otto, OL, Miami
- J.J. Watt, TE/DL, Central Michigan/Wisconsin
Next: Wyoming