Wisconsin pro day 2013: Montee Ball tries to bounce back

Wisconsin's pro day will provide several prospects a final opportunity to put on a show for scouts before April's NFL Draft. Two players hoping to solidify early-round selections are running back Montee Ball and center Travis Frederick.

Ball had an excellent career with the Badgers, rushing for an astounding 3,753 yards and 55 touchdowns over the last two seasons. In his senior season, he averaged 130.7 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Those numbers were actually down from his junior year in 2011, when he averaged 137.4 yards per game and 6.3 yards per rush. If draft stocks were based on college numbers alone, Ball would almost certainly be a top-10 pick.

Unfortunately for Ball, he didn't have a great Combine. His 40-yard dash time was a mediocre -- at least by running back standards -- 4.66 seconds, and he only totaled 15 reps on the bench press, which tied for the lowest among backs who participated in the drill. He may be a third-round pick.

Frederick measured out well at the Combine, standing 6'4 and weighing 312 pounds. Like Ball, he had a fine season in 2012, starting every game and earning All-Big Ten honors. Also like Ball, he didn't really turn heads in Indianapolis. His 21 reps on the bench ranked near the bottom for O-linemen, which won't help him on draft day. Originally projected as a second-rounder, Frederick may fall to the third.

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