Gordon shows off receiving skills for NFL scouts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon says he had one thing he wanted to do at the Badgers' Pro Day - catch the ball well.

Gordon showed off his receiving skills for scouts from 28 NFL teams gathered Wednesday at McClain Center. Despite one drop, Gordon consistently caught the ball cleanly and away from his body - something he says he should have done more of at February's combine.

"What I wanted to do today is come out here and catch the ball well," said Gordon, who also participated in running back drills. "I knew I'd be good on drills. I've been doing that since I got to Wisconsin. But a lot of people have been wondering if I can catch the ball."

The potential first-round draft pick also looked sharp at route running, even drawing applause from the two scouts overseeing his drills after one of his corner routes, the Wisconsin State Journal (http://bit.ly/1MuoCrZ ) reported. Otherwise, Gordon kept his warm-up clothes on for much of the day.

"He's always been a pretty good pass-catcher in college," Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson said, "and I see no reason why he wouldn't be that way in professional football."

Offensive tackle Rob Havenstein is expected to be taken in the middle rounds of the upcoming draft. The 6-foot-7 Havenstein had just 16 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at last month's combine, but upped that to 20 on Wednesday.

Defensive lineman Warren Herring may have helped himself more than anyone. The 288-pounder who played nose guard for the Badgers last season had a 10-yard split of 1.7 seconds, completed the three-cone drill in 7.42 seconds and did 28 reps on the bench press.

Herring showed even more athleticism with a 35-inch vertical leap and a broad jump of 9 feet, 8 inches.

"I feel like it was a great day," Herring said. "I felt like I did really well and impressed some guys."

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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj