CAMP TONTOZONA, Ariz. – Among several defensive veterans who have emerged throughout fall practice sessions and Camp Tontozona, redshirt sophomore linebacker Marcus Ball has seized the opportunity to take reps at the “Spur” linebacker spot, sharing time with last season’s starter – Laiu Moeakiola.
Ball, a converted safety, picked off starting quarterback Mike Bercovici and had a tackle for a loss during Saturday's Camp Tontozona scrimmage, one of 10 compiled by the three tiers of defensive units on the day as well as one of three interceptions and four forced turnovers.
“It wouldn’t have even been an interception if (sophomore linebacker D.J. Calhoun) didn’t tip it off for me,” Ball said. “We were in a good coverage, and I was the rat in the hole. I dropped back, trying to read the quarterback’s eyes, just trying to make a play.”
Quiet, yet articulate and confident, Ball was reflective and humble when addressing his recovery from a shoulder injury in 2013 and neurological issues that inhibited him in the next year.
“I’ve done some good things, I’ve done some great things,” Ball said. “But I still have a lot to learn. This is not a new position to me anymore, I don’t ever make that excuse. I learn things every day, and I love doing it. I want to get better."
Overcoming adversity is something Ball has used to mature himself as a person and a football player.
“It’s a blessing to overcome so much in my life, but that’s what makes a man,” Ball said. “I wouldn’t say I’m there yet, and that’s what motivates me.”
Ball fits the ideal build for the hybrid safety and linebacker spot, and has worked well with members of both the defensive first and second teams.
What exactly does it take for Ball to fill the shoes of an impact player like Moeakiola?
“A big, rangy, tall guy with width, who plays with great speed,” Ball said. “A guy who can get to that perimeter or stack in the box because he’s big enough or physically strong enough. From a physical standpoint, it fits all the attributes that I carry. It’s a position that I think is suited for me.
Head coach Todd Graham was mostly in observation mode on Saturday, but wasn’t shy about calling out a player who he caught jogging to the sideline, and stopped to bark orders at coaches who he sought to delegate more responsibility to.
“I think we’ve gotten better, there are some things that we can correct – not lining up in a restricted formation in bump coverage, things like that,” Graham said. “I think we’re very physical, and we’re getting after it. We’ve got a lot of people that can play, and I know we’re better on both sides of the ball.”
The change of pace and perspective for Graham was done by design, to apply pressure to simulate the rigors of raucous road crowds and hostile environments, like the one they'll face in Houston on Sept. 5 when they play Texas A&M.
“I wanted to let defensive guys have a little bit of space to operate,” Graham said. “That’s a big deal for us. (Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson) was taking a little bit more of a leadership role and managing stuff out there.”
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