Montee Ball Returning to UW!

[Bernman]

http://wisconsin.247sports.com/Article/SOURCES-Ball-will-return-to-UW-55619

Maybe Konz will follow suit now and this will influence another good veteran QB to transfer into the program. Supposedly there were some viable options with interest before Chryst and Crist went in other directions.

[Newz]

Seems like a great thing for the program... seems like a not so smart decision by Ball though.

How can his value as a player possibly get any higher than it is now?

[MetroDrugUnit]

Not too surprised but real nice!!!

[LUKE23]

Ball has nothing to gain by coming back, but love it for UW.

[chuckleslove]

Surprising, I can't see his value being any higher next year.

EDIT: also I don't know if its true that he has nothing to gain. I think the chances are he won't gain much but if he has a season like this past one, he will go in to the year as a Heisman front runner and I could see him moving all the way up to a top 10-15 pick if he has a repeat performance or even a better season. Now with the new rookie scale that isn't much but he could definitely improve his draft stock with another season like this one I would imagine as well as pick up some hardware in the form of a Heisman.

[LUKE23]

If he didn't win the Heisman this year, I don't see him winning it next year either. He had a top 5 season all-time for a RB and didn't win it this year.

But I'm more talking about perceived draft value, the UW team next year vs. this year, risk of injury, etc. It's not worth risking IMO but happy he values UW that much as a fan.

[Ryan5UW]

I see very little to no chance he works his way up to a top 10-15 pick. The only RBs going that high right now are going to be sure thing studs. With how many teams are finding RBs in middle to late rounds, and even undrafted, the days of a guy like Ball being picked that high are gone for now.

[MickeyDavis]

He wouldn't have been a real high pick this year but he won't be next year either. And he'll have another season of hits on his body. I don't know how anyone can say they aren't surprised by this.

[Bernman]

I think he could improve his stock discernibly if he gained about 10 pounds but still kept his speed and agility. He was too big last year and he went extreme in the other direction for this year to compensate, as it pertains to his pro prospects. 207 pounds is undersized, especially for a back who plays with his style. I think ideally he'd be around 215-220 to dish out as much punishment as he receives in the pros. But I don't think the risk of injury and potentially losing it all is worth the reward, and a RB only has so much tread on his tires, so I would have advised him to go pro. I hope the decision ends up working out for him.

[ReasonablySober]

Wow. I'm stun that he's coming back. I didn't think he'd be a high pick but he's taking a huge risk in returning.

[MikeIsGood]

If he didn't win the Heisman this year, I don't see him winning it next year either. He had a top 5 season all-time for a RB and didn't win it this year.

Heisman is as much about hype as anything. All season until the last two weeks or so, despite my objections, all of the hype for UW was about Russell Wilson. You have guys that had great-not-not-great-enough seasons that were hyped since before the season even started still in the discussion until the very end (Richardson, Luck). A Heisman finalist this year returning for his Senior season? The hype machine begins now. The University will push this preseason and all throughout. He wouldn't even need to have as good of a season as he did this year, IMO.

All of that aside, I don't think this is the smart financial and career decision for him. I qualify it that way, though, because Montee LOVES this school, this program, his teammates, and his coaches; the community. This may still be the right decision for him on a personal level. If he wants to come back, you know he loves it here. I just hope it doesn't negatively affect his future professional career in any major way.

And of course, as a fan, this makes me just flat-out ecstatic.

[MikeIsGood]

@M_Ball28 Montee Ball
lots of speculation out there, leaning one way but just not ready to make an announcement yet, appreciate everyone's patience

[Bernman]

It wouldn't be the first time Wisconsin 247 sports has jumped the gun.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Can never fault a kid for staying in school. With that being said, RB is probably the position where you risk the most by returning to school, assuming you are already considered an elite back. Anybody think he's returning to make a run at the all time rush td record? He has 55 and the record is only 73, seems likely he'd be able to break that.

[BUCKnation]

Seems like a great thing for the program... seems like a not so smart decision by Ball though.

How can his value as a player possibly get any higher than it is now?

+1

[Ayt]

He should absolutely go pro.

[Turk Nowitzki]

I mean, if he really wants to stay its certainly his choice and I'll enjoy watching him play, but if his ultimate goal is to be a professional football player, I don't see how you can pass up this opportunity.

[humanrefutation]

I agree with those who think he does have something to gain by returning, including a serious Heisman bid. College is also one of the great times of your life, and I could see how he'd like to stay, finish his degree, and remain BMOC.

That being said, I wonder if he's returning because of the bad taste in his mouth from the last two Rose Bowls. If so, he needs to use some mouthwash and move on. Football players have limited earning potential, RBs have a relatively short shelf life, and he's risking dropping in value. He should go pro.

[emunney]

The risk of major injury is just too great, imo. Get that signing bonus and year 1 salary in the bank, then if the worst happens, you can always go back to school.

[RiotPunch]

Would have been a 2nd round selection. Probably a dumb move on his part. As a Badger fan, though, this is amazing news!