MADISON, Wis. -- Melvin Gordon is proud to be part of Wisconsin's running back pipeline, but he wants to keep the production flowing at the NFL level.
Gordon, who worked out briefly Wednesday at Wisconsin's pro day, knows the knock on Badgers backs: great in college, unexceptional in the pros. It's a topic he discussed with former teammates and fellow running backs Montee Ball and James White, who are in the NFL.
"Me, Montee and James, we're in a group together and we all said, 'We've got to step up and change that,'" Gordon said. "We all had the opportunity to play in the NFL, and we're still young, all three of us. So we can change that perception they have about us. If we go out there and ball and do what we need to do, they won't be saying that anymore, I can tell you that."
Ball, a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2013, has yet to make a splash and change the perception. White, who attended Wisconsin's pro day session, logged nine carries for the New England Patriots last season.
Much more is expected of Gordon, the Doak Walker Award winner who some project as the first running back to be selected in April's draft. Ron Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner, also in attendance Wednesday, was the last Wisconsin running back selected in the first round. But Dayne couldn't replicate his college production at the NFL level, never rushing for more than 773 yards in any of his seven seasons.
Twenty-eight teams sent representatives to Wisconsin's pro day, including San Diego, Dallas, Miami and Indianapolis -- all possible first-round suitors for Gordon. One scout said Gordon would certainly be selected among the top three backs but might slip out of the first round.
"I would like to be [in the first round]," Gordon said. "Obviously, it would be disappointing [if not], but it doesn't matter. It's what you do when you get there."
Gordon didn't run the 40-yard dash or participate in other tests, because he was advised that his numbers at the NFL scouting combine, including a 4.52 in the 40, were strong enough. He went through several pass-catching drills with Wisconsin-Whitewater quarterback Matt Behrendt, catching all but one ball, which was thrown a bit high.
"I knew I'd be good on drills," Gordon said. "I've been doing that since I got to Wisconsin, but a lot of people were wondering: Could I catch the ball? After the combine, I really didn't have too many opportunities to catch the ball away from my body, and I did today.
"I caught the ball well, dropped one, unfortunately, but I think it went well."
Gordon increased his carries load from 206 in 2013 to 343 last fall, rushing for an FBS-leading 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns. He enjoyed Steven Jackson's recent video campaign to "Save the running back" and intends to become an every-down back in the NFL.
"I'm for the movement, man," Gordon said. "You've got to show you're an impact player and go and make a difference."
Badgers wide receiver Kenzel Doe, who has worked out extensively with Gordon, said Gordon's preparation hasn't changed despite the lofty draft projections.
"He's going to stay in the weight room, he's going to run, he's going to do whatever it takes to get to that level and not be a bust," Doe said. "You have a lot of people who go first round and be a bust. He mentions it all the time, he does not want to be a bust.
"He wants to be that guy that they chose to be the No. 1 running back."