Josh

Ball

Ball, a fourth-round pick, missed the entire preseason with a high-ankle sprain. With RT La’el Collins (neck) sidelined, not having Ball to open the year is a hit to the Cowboys’ offensive line depth. Ball is eligible to return in Week 4.

Ball likely has a high ankle sprain. That makes it possible he’ll open the season on IR, keeping him out at least the first three games. The rookie fourth-rounder will back up Tyron Smith and La’el Collins when healthy.

Ball (6'7/308) started his career at Florida State before being dismissed for alleged domestic violence charges. He spent a year at Butler Community College, eventually transfering to Marshall for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Ball was a two-year starter for the Thundering Herd, earning first-team All-CUSA honors as a senior in his final year. On the field, he shows quality movement skills, particularly with respect to fanning out through his pass sets and keeping his feet moving to match pass-rushers. His 35-inch arms also give him a length advantage over almost every pass-rusher he will see in the NFL. Ball has developmental potential, assuming he can add a few pounds and play a bit stronger, showing some shades of Ryan Schraeder.

Ball (6'7/308), who’s projected to be a Day 2 selection by some analysts (including Pauline), recorded 28 reps in the bench press (225 pounds) and a time of 5.19 seconds in the 40-yard dash. And he looked “athletic, smooth, and was always on balance” during position drills, according to Pauline. Ball began his college career at Florida State, and he didn’t claim Marshall’s starting left tackle job as his own until this season. While there will be some questions to answer regarding Ball’s exit from the Florida State program, the on-field tools are there for him to possibly hear his name called in the third round.

Ball (6'8/309) began his college career at Florida State, but was dismissed from the program in the summer of 2018 after being accused of dating violence. After a season at Butler CC in Kansas, Ball spent two seasons at Marshall. Due to the raw physical tools, he’s viewed by some as a possible Day 2 selection. “Ball expects to be a developmental left tackle with starting potential in the NFL,” Hodgkinson wrote. “His blend of size and athleticism means that he should be scheme versatile. However, given the success of the running game at Marshall, he would probably fit best with a team that wants to prioritize running the ball.” As we’ve seen in the past, what a prospect can do on the field is just part of the equation when it comes to determining their draft prospects. As a result, Ball’s meetings with teams will go a long way towards determining his path as a pro.

Ball (6'8/323) was dismissed from the program over the summer due to allegations of dating violence levied against him, but there had been some speculation recently that he might be returning to the team. That’s no longer in the cards, if it ever was, as Ball took to Twitter on Thursday to say that he would not be coming back. The former four-star prospect spent the 2018 season at the JUCO level after starting the final seven games for Florida State during the 2017 campaign. Whether he will resurface with another FBS program remains to be seen.

“He did have a false start, which was a blemish on his day, but the Seminoles found success running behind him regularly and he seemed to have a relatively clean day in pass protection as well,” Nee noted of Ball’s spring game showing. The 6-foot-8, 323-pounder was a four-star recruit for the 2016 cycle and took a redshirt as a true freshman.

Ball--a Fredericksburg, Virginia, native--saw interest of varying degrees from the likes of Duke, Illinois and Iowa before opting to stick by his FSU commitment on National Signing Day. The 6-foot-8, 323-pounder already has the size for the collegiate level (and then some). With that size, though, he’ll need to work on improving his foot quickness in order to prevent friskier defenders from simply skirting around his towering being. ESPN 300 checks him into their master list at No. 291. Consider him a project with upside.

Ball (6'8/323) has not only been dismissed from the team, but per a spokesman, is also in less-than-stellar standing with the university itself. This comes about due to allegations of dating violence by Ball which initially resulted in an indefinite suspension levied in late May. Sandra Sellers, a former girlfriend, filed for a protective injunction against the lineman in September. She cited 11 alleged incidents. While Ball is on shaky ground with the university right now, it should be noted that no charges have been filed against him in this case. He worked as starting left tackle for the Seminoles over the last nine games of the 2017 campaign and was expected to start at right tackle for the upcoming season. FSU will have to adjust in August camp.

Per Schoffel, the decision to suspend Ball was reached by an FSU judiciary panel. This suspension stems from allegations made by Sandra Sellers, a former girlfriend who filed for a protective injunction last September in which she alleged that Ball was a “violent person.” There were 11 alleged incidents cited in that injunction. Just how long Ball’s suspension will last is not clear at this juncture, but should it stretch into August and beyond, Seminoles HC Willie Taggart and staff will have to begin sorting through alternate starting options at left tackle (Ball started the final nine contests of the 2017 season). Jauan Williams, Mike Arnold and Derrick Kelly are all candidates to fill in for Ball should he be sidelined for long.