MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin senior running back Montee Ball has been named to the Associated Press first-team All-America squad, adding to an already impressive haul of awards.
Last week, Ball earned the Doak Walker Award given to the nation's best running back. He also was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Ball has amassed 1,730 yards and scored 21 touchdowns for Wisconsin, which will play Stanford in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Although he hasn't produced the same type of statistics as last season, when he became a Hesiman Trophy finalist, he played particularly well during the Big Ten season to leap back into the discussion as the top running back in the country.
Through four games, Ball had rushed for 360 yards and three touchdowns. But over the Badgers' final nine games, he gained 1,370 yards rushing (152.2 per game) and scored 18 touchdowns. During the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 1, he tallied 202 yards with three touchdowns, as Wisconsin clobbered Nebraska 70-31.
Ball, Alabama center Barrett Jones and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones become two-time All-Americans with Tuesday's announcement.
Other familiar names on the list include Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, this year's Heisman Trophy winner, USC wide receiver Marqise Lee and Notre Dame linebacker Manti T'eo.
Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter.
