2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 9 Days Part I (Marcelino McCrary-Ball)

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff is in its final stages! Just over one week remains until Indiana’s first game of the season against Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. The number nine jersey should prove to be quite important this season, and today we’ll highlight the two men donning it: Michael Penix Jr and Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball (Redshirt Senior+)

Hometown: Roswell, GA

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 214 Pounds

Position: Defensive Back

Though he is just 22 years old, Marcelino McCrary-Ball will be entering his sixth season with the Hoosiers in 2021. The dynamic athlete will be back after missing the entirety of last season with a torn ACL suffered during fall camp. McCrary-Ball brings an astounding stat line – 41 games of experience (38 starts), 201 tackles (142 solo), eight quarterback hurries, 13 passes broken up, and more – to a defense led by new coordinator Charlton Warren.

However, the stats, awards, and other personal achievements seem to matter little to McCrary-Ball now. Anyone that has been around him recently will immediately point out the sense of heightened maturity he is displaying; now, his goals have shifted solely to being on the field and contributing to winning games. He missed all of last season and all but three games of 2017 with an injury.

"I've seen it all,” said Ball. “I've seen the dark times and the good times, most recently the 2019 and 2020 seasons. I also know who I am and how I work and what I bring to the table."

“My perspective is different," McCrary-Ball continued. "You always want to be around winners. I was always a follower. I always wanted to follow someone who was going to lead me to success. Now, I'm that guy and people are looking to me in some way, shape or form to be the leader. All those years following guys that are successful, now it's time for me to take on that torch."

It’s been since 1991 that Indiana won a bowl game, and Marcelino is determined to end that streak this year. Indiana fans will see the versatile athlete all over the defense, rushing passers and dropping back in coverage.