Regardless of Corey Clement’s shoe-size, it’s probably not big enough.

With the departure of Melvin Gordon, arguably Wisconsin’s best running back of all-time in a tradition of impressive backs, to the NFL Draft, Clement has risen to the top of the depth chart in the backfield this season.

It’s his turn now, and the junior from Glassboro, New Jersey, knows that.

“I just look back at what type of season [Gordon] had last year. He put up some big numbers, set the bar pretty high,” Clement said. “I just see it as a challenge to myself. I think the higher the bar is set the more I’m going to push myself and become a better player.”

Gordon, a Heisman finalist, rushed for 2,567 yards and scored 32 touchdowns last season. Clement was no slouch of a backup, rushing for 945 yards and nine touchdowns.

Clement’s teammates fully believe he can carry on the great tradition of Wisconsin running backs.

“Corey has really done a tremendous job stepping into that role,” quarterback Joel Stave said. “Obviously Melvin is a tremendous running back, but he’s not here anymore. Corey, for the past two years, has been a very good, very dependable running back. I think he’s really excited to step into that role of being the number one running back.

“I think the running back tradition will continue to go the way it always has been.”

Gordon was at Wisconsin’s first spring practice Sunday, and Clement said both continue learning from each other.

“Melvin’s always going to be Melvin. He’s always going to be competing with me on or off the field trying to pick my brains and see if I’m paying attention,” Clement said. “That’s all I can ask for from an ex-player.”

Since it’s been Clement’s goal to be the number one guy since he arrived on campus, he said his work ethic during the offseason didn’t vary due to Gordon’s departure.

“I come out here everyday, and either it’s a mental strain or a physical strain, I want to push myself,” Clement said.

His new head coach, Paul Chryst, said he has been impressed with Clement’s approach to the spring workouts.

“He seems to me to be a worker and a guy that intends on being the best he can be,” Chryst said. “I’ve been impressed with that. I loved his approach. When he steps on the field he’s all business. I appreciate that.”

In addition to stepping up in the depth chart, Clement will now have to emerge as a leader in the locker room, an opportunity he relishes.

“I’m trying to be more of a vocal player, just leading by example,” Clement said.”Now I’m a leader. Everything’s moving too fast, but I think I’m gonna grab it by the horns and take it as my job.”

Clement is now under the tutelage of his third running-backs coach in three seasons. Thomas Hammock left for the Baltimore Ravens after 2013, and Thomas Brown left for Georgia following 2014. The Badgers hired John Settle, who had formerly coached the position at Wisconsin, and Clement had high praise for his new coach.

“Coach Settle is a great guy, very down to earth,” Clement said. “He digs into a lot of detail as far as fronts and I’m actually learning a lot more information, so I’m kind of happy that he was chosen as coach.”

Clement also said that a third voice in his head in as many years wasn’t ideal, as pass protection, route schemes and terminology has changed once again.

“I just see it as a challenge for myself to get better and learn new terminology,” Clement said. “It’s like square one again. I understand it’s a business. A lot of guys are gonna be in and out of this job. Hopefully this is my last coach.”

Overtime with Corey

– Clement said his right shoulder, which he injured against Nebraska and hampered him throughout the remainder of the season, is fine. The injury didn’t require surgery, but he said he did light strength training to nurse the shoulder back to full health.

– Clement’s afro was much shorter than what Badgers fans are used to seeing. As he’s in the infant stages of growing it out, the fro will be making a full comeback, Clement said.

– When asked if he was able to attend Gordon’s pro-day workouts, Clement said he couldn’t because he was in class, although he wanted to skip. “I’m not that type of student,” he said.