It became official today: FSU freshman LB Marcus Ball will miss the rest of this season after tearing his left ACL against Rice on Saturday. The injury happened in the 3rd quarter while covering a kickoff. The tear was not caused by any contact. His knee simply gave out when attempting to make a cut to make a tackle.
Ball has been nothing short of excellent in his playing time this season. He has been one of the most surprising players on the team as a true freshman. We all thought that #1 recruit Myron Rolle was going to make the biggest impact of the freshmen this year. That still may prove to be true, but Ball was well on track to take that honor until this unfortunate injury. Before getting hurt, Marcus intercepted a Rice pass and returned it 54 yards. Ball was all over the field against Troy, recording a team high 10 tackles and 3 pass break-ups. He combined great speed with an instinct that can't be taught.
Ball almost didn't make it to Florida State. Most schools gave up on him in the recruiting process thinking that he would not qualify. Even when he signed with the Noles, it was still considered a long shot for him to suit up this year. After an incredible effort in his last semester of high school in the classroom and on the standardized tests, Ball was cleared to enroll at the beginning of the summer.
Although we won't have the privilege of watching Marcus shatter ball carriers the rest of this season, his work ethic will have him back and even better in 2007. That is something to really look forward to.
