
The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame revealed the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday on ESPN, revealing Montee Ball as a Class of 2025 inductee. Ball will be the thirteenth Badger player to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, and the sixth since 2010.
Ball assembled a legendary career as a Badger, becoming one of the most prolific scorers in college football history and helping the Badgers to three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances from 2010-12. Ball was a two-time consensus First Team All-American (2011, 2012) and won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back in 2012.
In 2011, Ball was tabbed as the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year and tied Hall of Famer Barry Sanders’ NCAA record of 39 total touchdowns in a season. He led the country with 1,923 yards and 2,229 total yards from scrimmage.
During his career as a Badger, Ball set the NCAA record for career touchdowns (83) and career rushing touchdowns (77). He ranks second in the Badgers’ record book for rushing yards with 5,140 during his career, second to only Hall of Famer Ron Dayne. Ball is still the only player in college football history to rush for 100+ yards in three consecutive Rose Bowl games.
Ball was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and went on to play two seasons in the league. Ball now serves as a clinical outreach ambassador and recovery coach, publicly speaking about his own battles with alcoholism, anxiety and depression.
Ball joins Badger coaches Barry Alvarez, Phil King and Harry Stuldreher and players Alan Ameche, Marty Below, Robert Butler, Ron Dayne, Pat Harder, Elroy Hirsch, Tim Krumrie, George Little, Pat O’Dea, Pat Richter, Dave Schreiner, Joe Thomas, Troy Vincent in the Hall of Fame.