MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin running back Montee Ball has yet to speak to the media, although he is expected to be available Sunday at Wisconsin's Media Day.
Ball is still recovering from a concussion he suffered in a late-night attack a week ago in downtown Madison.
Fellow running back and one of Ball's best friends, James White, says Ball is doing well despite the ongoing investigation.
"He's doing pretty good... I think he's going to use it as motivation throughout the season. He can't wait to get back out there with us, because when he's out there standing around, he misses it even more. I think it gives all of us motivation, especially when he gets back out there. [We'll] just use it to motivate the team and build us because there's a little bit of adversity and we just have to overcome that," said White.
Ball's teammates would certainly like to see the star running back as a full-go at practice, but in the meantime, White will help lead the ground game.
The junior running back says this is good experience for him to grow as a leader in the huddle and on the field in Ball's absence.
"Next year when he's gone I'll have to do that, so it just gets me prepared now. It also helps the other guys 'cause they're seeing more reps so they'll know what it's like to take more reps and get ready for that," said White.
Meanwhile, the competition to become the Badgers' starting quarterback continues, as well. New quarterback Danny O'Brien says he doesn't expect to be handed the starting job, but he's eager to compete for it.
"When I was at Maryland, from day one, I was in a quarterback competition. You're always competing at some level or another. My first year, I was kind of 2-deep and the second year there was a competition so it's not something that's unfamiliar to me. A lot of guys are stepping up right now, fighting for playing time, and I think competition brings out the best in everyone," said O'Brien.
