With the 26th pick in the second round (58th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos made a long-life dream come true when they selected Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball.
Montee Ball grew up idolizing the Broncos as a small kid, particularly running back Terrell Davis (1998 MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion).
“It’s a dream come true,” Ball said. “I’ve been a Broncos fan since the age of seven, and now to be a Bronco, is something very special.”
Davis is not the only Broncos legend that Montee Ball looked up to as a kid. Current executive vice president of football operations, John Elway, is the biggest sports figure in the city of Denver and now has paired Ball with another quarterback legend in Peyton Manning.
“Good size back who had tremendous production in college,” Elway tweeted. “Will add great dimension to run game.”
No one in division one college football has scored more touchdowns than Ball who served as the Badgers’ workhorse while racking up 663 carries over the last two seasons. Ball meshes a healthy combination of power-running with an arsenal of moves that enables him to break tackles.
Denver has recently expressed concerns on whether last year’s draft choice Ronnie Hillman is an “every-down back,” suggesting that Ball will have an opportunity to step in right away and be on the field early and often. One strength that Ball has over Hillman is his above-average blocking skills. Keeping their four-time MVP, Manning, away from opposing defenders and off the ground seems to be something Ball can do.
It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ball used in short-yardage/goal-line situations because he was almost automatic in those situations during his tenure in Madison. Ball is a cut-back runner who has an exceptional understanding of running through the tackles and fighting for the extra yard.
Montee Ball was the third running back taken in the Draft behind North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard (Cincinnati – 37th overall) and Michigan State’s Le’veon Bell (Pittsburgh – 48th overall). The Green Bay Packers were rumored to be interested in Ball, but didn’t get the chance to take him and opted to select Alabama’s Eddie Lacy 61st overall, just three picks later.
He was also the second Badger taken in this year’s draft as Travis Frederick shocked the experts and went in the first round on Thursday when the Dallas Cowboys selected the offensive lineman with their 31st overall pick.
Article Link Bank
Montee Ball reaction to being drafted by his favorite team via UWBadgers.com (VIDEO)
Interview with Montee Ball following the big news via UWBadgers.com (VIDEO)
Denver Broncos coverage of drafting Montee Ball via Broncos official website
What do you think of Montee Ball with the Denver Broncos? Let me know by commenting below.
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He also enjoys sharing Fantasy Advice and pretends to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best. If social media is not your thing, shoot him an email at grays@uwalumni.com.
*Pictures obtained from milehighreport.com.