University of Wisconsin sophomore running back John Clay has dreams of playing in the NFL some day.

But it's not going to be next season.

Clay dismissed recent speculation he would consider leaving for the NFL after this season. As a third-year player who was redshirted in 2007, Clay is eligible to put his name in with the juniors who decide to come out early.

However, he made it clear, that's not in his thought process right now.

"I don't know where it came from," Clay said of the speculation. "I'm not thinking about making a jump, no time soon. I know I'm not ready yet.

"I'm still not mentally there. I need to get more in shape and everything. I've got some time left before I make that decision."

UW coach Bret Bielema has a process he follows, with juniors or third-year players who are good enough to warrant NFL attention. He went through it with tight end Travis Beckum two years ago, as well as running back P.J. Hill and tight end Garrett Graham last year.

Beckum and Graham returned for their senior years, while Hill left early.

Bielema usually encourages the player to go through the NFL assessment, just to find out where he stands.

"I've already had initial talks with two guys," Bielema said after practice Sunday. "I don't want to put that out there (now). I usually do that after the last (regular-season) game."

The Badgers close the regular season Saturday at Hawaii.

The two players are likely Clay and junior left tackle Gabe Carimi, who said earlier he has given no consideration to leaving early.

Clay, who was named the Big Ten Conference's Offensive Player of the Year last week, said it's worth hearing what the NFL has to say.

"It's always good to have information, to see what I can improve on," he said.

In his first year as the team's featured back, Clay leads the Big Ten in rushing and ranks 19th nationally, averaging 111.3 yards per game. He has rushed for 1,224 yards on 241 carries, an average of 5.1 yards per carry.

Despite that success, Clay acknowledged there are several areas where he can improve.

"Just the whole speed of the game, I'm still getting used to that," he said. "Just making sure everything slows down in front of me, I'm reading all my keys and running to the right holes."

UW offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, naturally, was happy to hear Clay is talking about ways he can improve, rather than jumping early to the NFL.

"John doesn't need to speak a lot, so when he does, he thinks through things," Chryst said. "I talk to him and I do get excited because I think he can get a lot better.

"That's not to minimize or put down (what he has done). It's a heck of an accomplishment, some of the things he has done. Yet, I think we can set a pretty high standard for him and a pretty high bar to reach toward. I don't think what we're setting is any less than what he would expect. It's kind of nice when expectations meet."

When Clay was asked about the things he wants to accomplish at the college level, he mentioned two team goals: winning a Big Ten championship and making it to a Bowl Championship Series game.

That's an example, Clay remains fairly grounded, despite the hoopla that has surrounded his life, going back to his junior year at Racine Park. That's when he rushed for 2,032 yards and 30 touchdowns, led his team to a state title and became one of the top running back prospects in the nation.

"Any time I've had interaction with him, it seems like the ears are open and (he's) wanting to learn," Chryst said. "I think he observes (things) around him. I think he is open to learning. What a great thing. What a shame if you weren't (that way)."

Clay has managed, this season, to live up to many of the lofty expectations others had for him. But more important to him are the things he has proven to himself, about being a complete running back.

"More than anything, proving (to) myself, I can do anything," he said. "I can be in there any down, first through third, I can pick up the blitzes, I can handle the playbook and everything that's thrown at me."

Considerably more would get thrown at him in the NFL and that's something Clay isn't ready for at this point.

"A lot of people, they ask me about (the NFL)," Clay said. "I tell them, like I tell everybody else, I'm not mentally prepared or physically yet. That's a whole different league up there. I'm not ready to take that kind of pounding, not yet."