New Wisconsin assistant Jayden Everett on Montee Ball connection, running back rotation, shelving 'RBU'
More from Wisconsin's new running backs coach about potential contributors, shelving 'RBU' from the unit for now and why he views himself as more than a friend to his players.
Jayden Everett has already been in touch with one of the great University of Wisconsin running backs early during his tenure in Madison.
And according to Everett, there’s also a geographical connection between the two.
Everett came aboard as Wisconsin’s new running backs coach in January and is one of several fresh faces to the Badgers staff. He’s tasked with mentoring and rejuvenating the vaunted position group, and he has spoken with Montee Ball. Ball, a 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee, ranks first all-time in school history in rushing touchdowns (77) and career rushing yards (5,140).
“It’s funny. Montee is actually from McPherson. Kansas,” Everett said. “Was born there, but then raised kind of in St Louis, right? And so I joked with him, I’m a fellow Kansas guy. I’m from Newton. My high school and the high school that he would have went to in McPherson would have been rivals.
“But we just started talking on Instagram, and then we ended up getting to get on a phone conversation. That’s when we had the dialog. And I kind of sent him some clips of guys, what we’re doing, drill work, kind of the progression from a run game standpoint, how I’m teaching those guys, and he loved it, and … we still talk.
“So he said, ‘I’m going to link you up with the guys,’ and so I look forward to that.”
Reporters spoke with Everett, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples and new wide receivers coach Ari Confesor on March 6. Here are some more takeaways from the discussion with Everett.
Wisconsin backs needing to earn back ‘RBU’
Everett initially brought up Ball’s name when answering a question about bringing in three new running backs as a new assistant. And as it’s already been written about by other outlets, a moniker for that storied unit will be on the shelf for now.
