Montee Ball | RB | WIsconsin, Senior| 5'11, 212 pounds
Montee Ball 2013 NFL Draft scouting notes
2011 Stats: 1,923 rushing yards, 33 touchdowns
Games Watched: Ohio State, Michigan State, Nebraska, UNLV, Penn State, Oregon
First Word: Montee Ball put up staggering numbers for the Badgers a year ago. His historic totals earned him a trip to the Heisman ceremony, but Ball didn’t get a high enough grade from scouts to warrant passing up his senior season. While he has been insanely productive at Wisconsin, Ball is stuck between being a speed back and a power back. He lacks the top end speed to be a true burner, but he also has dropped some weight, bringing up questions about how much of a power runner he can be at the next level. Ball will get a chance to answer his critics in his final Big Ten season.
Strengths
- For starters, Ball's production is off the charts. He reached the end zone a total of 39 times a year ago, so his nose for the stripe is evident.
- Ball has good short area quickness. He moves well laterally and is a solid "one-cut" back. He accelerates well in and out of cuts and hits holes with solid burst.
- Ball has proven to be a durable player during his career, and will need to continue that this season.
- Ball developed into a more well-rounded running back last season. He shows a willingness to pass protect when called upon and can make plays coming out of the backfield. He still needs to work a bit on his route running and awareness in the passing game, but he's made strides.
- Would fit well in a zone blocking scheme because of his vision and one-cut style.
- Ball does a decent job of fighting through tackle and keeping his legs moving after first contact.
Weaknesses
- Ball does not blow defenders away with his top end speed. He doesn't have that extra gear to be a true game breaker.
- Not so much a weakness, but it's worth noting that Ball runs behind one of the best offensive lines in the country. That has undoubtedly skewed his stats a bit.
- Not an elite inside runner at this point. He usually makes a single cut, and while he keeps his legs churning, he lacks the power to really punish tacklers.
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