Hall of Fame
Position: Running Back
Years: 2009-12
Place of Birth: McPherson, Kansas
Date of Birth: Dec. 5, 1990
Jersey Number: 28
Height: 5-11
Weight: 214
High School: Timberlnad (Wentzville, MO)
Montee Ball carved out a place in the NCAA record books as one of the most prolific scorers in college football history with a rare blend of power, vision, and a nose for the end zone. The Wentzville, Missouri, product became the 12th Badger player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A two-time consensus First Team All-America pick (2011, 2012), Ball took home the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back in 2012 after finishing as a finalist the previous year. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2011 after tying Hall of Famer Barry Sanders' NCAA record of 39 total touchdowns in a season and setting the record for most points scored in a single season with 236. His 33 rushing touchdowns in 2011 rank second in NCAA annals.
During his four seasons in Madison, Ball set the NCAA record for career touchdowns (83, now third) and career rushing touchdowns (77, now second) and career points scored (500, now third). He led the nation in 2011, rushing for 1,923 yards and amassing a total of 2,229 yards from scrimmage. He finished his career with 5,140 career rushing yards, averaging 104.9 yards per game, and 77 rushing touchdowns. He added 598 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions during his career.
Ball was twice named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Running Back of the Year and a First Team All-Big Ten pick. He helped the Badgers claim three consecutive Big Ten titles, make three trips to the Rose Bowl and four bowl game appearances overall. The Badgers posted a 40-14 record with final rankings of No. 16 in 2009, No. 7 in 2010 and No. 10 in 2011 with Ball in the backfield
A team captain in 2012, Ball is the only player in history to rush for at least 100 yards in three straight Rose Bowls. His 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the 2012 Big Ten title game earned him MVP honors as the Badgers routed Nebraska 70-31. A 2023 inductee into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Ball holds multiple Big Ten and school records, including total points scored and total touchdowns in a season. His career rushing total of 5,140 yards ranked second in Wisconsin annals at career's end (now third) behind only Hall of Famer Ron Dayne.
A second round NFL Draft pick (No. 58 overall) by Denver, Ball played two seasons with the Broncos. He currently serves as the founding board member of Vivo Colorado, leading efforts to build recovery high schools and create equitable care systems for teens, while speaking nationally to advance this initiative.
