Ball heading to Big Ten

Wentzville (Mo.) Timberland three-star running back Montee Ball said all along he was looking for the school that fit him academically, socially and playing style.

After picking up offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Stanford, Wisconsin and others, he made the decision about 2 hours ago that he found that perfect school.

So who's the lucky team to land him?

"I committed to Wisconsin just a little bit ago today," Ball, the nation's No. 33 running back, said. "Everything fits me perfectly. I love the academics. I love the environment, and I love how I fit their offense.

"I was up there on Friday, and I sat down with the running back coaches to watch film. Their style of offense is very similar to what we run at my school. At Timberland, they focus the offense to what my strengths are as a running back, and if you watch Wisconsin's offense, it's really based on the running back."

Ball said he's finished with the recruiting process. Most local observers believed Missouri or Kansas would be where he ended up at, but Badger ace recruiter Dave Doeren was able to lure him away to the Big Ten.

"He's perfect," Ball said about Doeren. "When I was up there, I felt I could really relate to him. He was very honest about how I would fit in there, and how bad they really wanted me. That's what I like about him. I know we're going to have a strong relationship when I get up there."

As a junior, Ball, a tough inside runner with solid speed, rushed for 3,077 yards and 32 touchdowns. He earned first-team all-conference, first-team all-district and first-team all-state honors in 2007.