Montee Ball

Bio

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. 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. 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. 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, earning three trips to the Rose Bowl. The Badgers posted a 40-14 record with Ball in the backfield. 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.

Career Highlights

• 2012 All-Conference
• 2012 Doak Walker Award Winner
• 2012 First Team All-America
• 2011 All-Conference
• 2011 Big Ten Most Valuable Player
• 2011 Consensus All-America
• 2011 Heisman Trophy - Fourth Place