Melvin Gordon to enter NFL draft

In a move that was widely expected, Wisconsin star running back Melvin Gordon says he plans to enter the 2015 NFL draft.

The redshirt junior confirmed the decision to go pro in an interview Wednesday morning on "The Dan Patrick Show."

Gordon is a Heisman Trophy finalist who leads the FBS with 2,336 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns. He was the fastest player in history to reach 2,000 yards, doing it in just 241 carries.

He considered turning pro after the 2013 season but returned to make a run at the Heisman and in hopes of leading Wisconsin to the College Football Playoff. The Badgers will play Auburn in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

Gordon recently was rated as the No. 9 overall prospect on ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr.'slatest big board.

Gordon broke the single-game FBS rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska, a record that only stood for a week. He needs another huge game in the Outback Bowl against Auburn to break Barry Sanders' single-season record of 2,628, set in his Heisman winning season of 1988 with Oklahoma State.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.