Montee Ball
Wisconsin
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RB Montee Ball
Wisconsin (2009-2012)
First Place Votes: 2
Hall of Fame Points: 44
Montee Ball reflected on the challenges he faced to become a great player in a 2025 interview: “I chose the right route, which was the route less traveled, the hard route, and that came from RB Coach Thomas Hammock. It was a changing moment for me, a real fork in the road. Coach broke me mentally in a good way. What I mean (is that) he saw there was still a lot of room for me to grow and be a better player, and he pushed me." (captimes.com)
If I were a sports journalist in Madison, Wisconsin, I would write a book exploring the Badgers’ ground game from 2000 to 2020, interviewing the coaches, offensive linemen, opponents, and, of course, the great running backs wearing the Wisconsin uniform. The Badgers posted double-digit victories 10 times, won three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2011, and 2012), and earned 19 bowl invites during their historic run. The total domination of the Wisconsin ground game cannot be understated, and Montee Ball is the third runner during the era to enter the College Fantasy Football Hall of Fame, following Jonathan Taylor and Melvin Gordon.
In 2009, Ball enrolled at Wisconsin and finished with 98 carries for 391 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman. As a sophomore, he opened the season second on the depth chart but moved up when starter John Clay suffered an MCL injury. Ball gained 996 rushing yards and scored 18 times on only 163 carries. Amazingly, he finished third on the team in rushing behind Clay and freshman James White (future member of the New England Patriots).
As a junior and senior, Ball became a CFF superstar. In 2011, he ran for 1,923 yards and 33 scores, which is the second most all-time in a single season behind only Barry Sanders (37). He was named Consensus All-American, Big Ten MVP, and All-Big Ten First Team after leading the nation in rushing. In 2021, he garnered an astonishing 356 carries for 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns. Once again, he earned Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten First Team while also capturing the Doak Walker Award as a senior.
Ball concluded his college tenure with 5,140 yards, which ranks 18th all-time in college football. He established FBS records for total touchdowns (83, now third), rushing touchdowns (77), and points scored (500) during his career. The former Badger dominated opponents with an impressive combination of power, vision, and determination. He helped lead Wisconsin to a 40-14 record during his four years in Madison, WI, and two Top 10 rankings in the final polls. More importantly, he propelled thousands of college fantasy football coaches to championships and is well-deserving of membership in the CFF Hall of Fame.
- John Laub
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