Marcelino Ball Announces that He Will Return to Indiana for 2021
/
Image: Sammy Jacobs, Hoosier Huddle
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
It has been a busy Tuesday for the Hoosiers as senior Marcelino Ball announced that he will return for a sixth season with the program. Ball has been one of Indiana’s most talented defensive players, but missed the 2020 season with an injury.
Ball came to Indiana in 2016 and made an impact right off the bat. After recording 75 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions Ball was named 247Sports True Freshman All-American, honorable-mention All-Big Ten (coaches, media) ... ESPN.com and BTN.com Big Ten All-Freshman as well as IU’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
For his career, Ball has played in 41 games for the Hoosiers including 37 starts. He has made 201 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and has three interceptions.
Allen had big plans for Ball in the husky spot in his defense. IU “lost Marcelino McCrary-Ball before the season even started. Our most experienced and arguably one of our best defensive players” Allen said after the Hoosiers win over Wisconsin.
IU PLAYER DECISION TRACKER:
Announced his return on 1/5
As a core special teams player and rotational DE, Ziemba provides a nice blend of experience and talent for Indiana in two phases of the game.
https://twitter.com/Ziemba42/status/1346487667077341184?s=20
DB #0 Raheem Layne
Announced his return on 1/5
Layne will be back in 2021 after missing the entire 2020 season due to injury. After switching his number to zero and his position to safety, it’s unclear at this time exactly where he will play in the defensive backfield in 2021.
https://twitter.com/Raheeemm6/status/1346499507463323657?s=20
TE #85 Kham Taylor
Announced his return on 1/5
After transferring in from South Alabama prior to the 2020 season, Taylor missed the entirety of his first season in Bloomington due to injury. A strong blocking tight end, he should help IU in the run game and give time for some of Indiana’s young tight ends to bulk up.
https://twitter.com/KhamTaylor/status/1346506370313498626?s=20
DE #97 Tramar Reece
The redshirt junior announced his intent to transfer on 1/4
C #57 Harry Crider
Decision not yet made. NFL options and graduation are possible for the senior from Columbus, Indiana.
Prediction: Leaves for NFL
WR #1 Whop Philyor
Decision not yet made. NFL options and graduation are possible for the senior from Tampa, Florida.
Prediction: Leaves for NFL
WR #3 Ty Fryfogle
Decision not yet made. NFL options and graduation are possible for the Big Ten Receiver of the Year.
Prediction: Returns to Indiana
DB #9 Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Announced he will be returning to Indiana in 2021.
https://twitter.com/CoachAllenIU/status/1346521386186104833?s=20
OG #51 Mackenzie Nworah
Decision not yet made. Nworah was a mainstay on the offensive line at right guard during his time at Indiana so far, which was five seasons.
Prediction: Graduates
OG #72 Dylan Powell
Decision not yet made. The Stanford transfer provided a big boost for Indiana at both guard spots in 2020. He would be a sixth-year player if he returned.
Prediction: Returns to Indiana
K #90 Jared Smolar
Decision not yet made. Smolar served as the kickoff specialist for Indiana in 2020.
Prediction: Graduates
DT #51 Jovan Swann
Decision not yet made. The Stanford transfer from Center Grove was a major part of the rotation at defensive tackle in 2020.
Prediction: Returns to Indiana
P #94 Haydon Whitehead
Decision not yet made. Whitehead has been one of the B1G’s best punters since his arrival at IU.
Prediction: Returns to Indiana
DT #98 Jerome Johnson
Decision not yet made. The fifth-year senior from Mississippi was outstanding again for Indiana this year.
Prediction: Leaves for NFL
RB #8 Stevie Scott
Decision not yet made. The junior from New York would be smart to get feedback from the NFL.
Prediction: Returns to Indiana
DB #22 Jamar Johnson
Decision not yet made. The junior from Florida has been an absolute star for Indiana and his versatility would make him attractive to many teams in the NFL. He would be smart to gather feedback this offseason.
Prediction: Returns to Indiana