Tradarian Ball

Physical Profile

Possesses a dense, athletic build at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds that plays bigger than its listed size. While not a bruiser, he displays good contact balance and the frame to add more mass at the collegiate level. His most elite physical trait is his speed, verified by a 10.51 100-meter time, which translates directly to the field, allowing him to erase angles and consistently break away from defenders.

Play Style

A versatile and explosive playmaker who can be utilized in a variety of ways. He operates with elite speed and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, whether taking a handoff, catching a screen, or running a route downfield from the slot. He is a creative runner who excels in space, often bouncing runs outside, but also shows the vision and footwork to be effective between the tackles.

Strengths

• Elite speed and acceleration; his 10.51 100-meter time is evident on film as he frequently outruns defensive pursuit angles for long touchdowns.
• Advanced receiving skills for a running back, showcasing the ability to line up in the slot or out wide and run crisp routes with strong, reliable hands. His production as a junior, with 44 catches for 1,017 yards and 14 touchdowns, highlights his capability as a legitimate downfield threat.
• Exceptional open-field creativity and agility, flashing sudden, decisive cuts and redirection skills that make him difficult to tackle in space. He is a dynamic threat after the catch and in the return game.

Areas to Improve

• Can be an upright runner at times with too narrow of a base, which can affect his power and balance through contact between the tackles.
• Needs continued development in the traditional running back duties, such as patience in the box and consistently finishing runs physically, despite showing improvement in these areas.

College Projection

Projects as a high-impact, multi-year starter for a Power 4 program. His versatile skill set as both a runner and a receiver should allow him to see the field early in his career in various offensive packages and on special teams. He has the talent to develop into an all-conference level offensive weapon.

NFL Outlook

Given his high 4-star rating (0.952 composite), verified top-end speed, and dynamic versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Ball has a significant NFL upside. His profile aligns with modern NFL offenses that value multi-faceted running backs. He projects as a future Day 2 NFL Draft pick with the potential to rise higher depending on his collegiate development and production.

Best Fit

A spread or up-tempo offensive scheme that prioritizes getting playmakers the ball in space would be an ideal fit. A system that creatively moves its running backs around, utilizing them in the passing game from the backfield, slot, and out wide, will maximize his unique and versatile skill set.