Scouting Montee Ball

Yes, I am a Badger fan, but Wisconsin running back Montee Ball will be one of my favorite NFL Draft prospects to watch for over the course of the next two seasons for other reasons than fan loyalty.

In a Badger backfield that featured the bruising John Clay and the speedy James White last season, Ball was a tweener with the size and brute strength of a power runner (5-11, 236), but also deceptive speed to get to the corner and turn up field. He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he can break tackles and get to the second level by making quick decisions and using the one-cut style of a zone blocking scheme. Another attribute that stood out to me towards the end of the season was how well Ball can catch the ball out of the backfield; he is proficient in the screen game.

It can be debated how much of his stats were aided by a huge, athletic offensive line, but Ball did contribute. He rushed for 996 yards as a sophomore after running for 461 as a true freshman. He increased his scoring totals from eight touchdowns to 18 and has averaged over six yards per carry both seasons. Ball started the final five games of the season and rushed for 127, 163, 173, 178, and 132 yards, respectively.

One of my favorite running back prospects in a few years, Ball has convinced me that he has the ability to succeed in the NFL and become a solid starting back. I believe he is a top five prospect already as a true junior next season and would compare him to Brandon Jacobs, but with more speed and cutting ability.