Wisconsin Football: Top 10 Running Backs since Ron Dayne

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Running back Jonathan Taylor (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Running back Jonathan Taylor (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Montee Ball

Wisconsin Football - Montee Ball
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 03: Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers scores his second 6-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter against Isaiah Lewis #9 of the Michigan State Spartans during the Big 10 Conference Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Years played: 2009-2012

Career rushing yards: 5,140

Career rushing touchdowns: 77

Honors/Awards: Big Ten offensive player of the year (2011), First team All-American (2011), First team All-Big Ten (2011), First team All-American (2012), First team All-Big Ten (2012), Doak Walker Aware (2012)

Notes: Led Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (18) in 2010. Led NCAA in rushing yards (1,923), rushing touchdowns (33) and total touchdowns (39) in 2011. Led Big Ten, third in NCAA, in rushing yards (1,830) in 2012. Led Big Ten, sixth in NCAA, in rushing touchdowns in 2012. Career rushing yards (5,140) ranks 17th all-time in NCAA and fifth all-time in Big Ten. Career rushing touchdowns (77) ranks second all-time in NCAA and first all-time in Big Ten. Career total touchdowns (83) ranks third all-time in NCAA and first all-time in Big Ten. Single season mark of 33 rushing touchdowns in 2011 is second-best all-time.

Ball’s Game

Ball was a technician. He wasn’t the most athletic, or the biggest, or the strongest, but he knew the position as well as anyone. Ball was the kind of runner that would frustrate opposing defenses because it was so hard to pinpoint what made him great. He was just simply meant to be a running back. What really separates Ball from the crowd was his ability to finish drives at the goal line. With his patience, you knew you could trust him to find the end zone if it was within sight.

Ball has historic touchdown numbers for a reason. He never settled for anything less than a pay dirt. Wisconsin’s offense in 2011 was as successful as it was because drives never stalled out and turned into field goals. Ball was in the backfield and he was making sure the Badgers got a touchdown. The Badgers scored a touchdown 85% of the time they were in the red zone in 2011.

Ball’s Legacy

Ball was simply a touchdown machine and his name will be in record books for a very long time. Backs as talented as him usually don’t stick around in college long enough to reach the totals he did. And if they do, they still aren’t as special as Ball was. He was the security blanket. There wasn’t much concern about Wisconsin’s offense when Ball was in Madison. You knew it was in good hands.

Ball’s professional career was not what everyone had hoped it would become. Combined with some off-the-filed issues, Ball left the NFL. But since he’s been done playing football, he’s been a positive influence in his community. Ball is hosting an even called Swing Fore Recovery where he’s aiming to raise money and awareness for mental health services. Ball is the perfect example that shows you can be more than just a player. He’ll be remembered for more than just his historic career at Wisconsin for generations to come.