Marcus Ball played football for UW-Stout for only two years, but the community college transfer’s impact was immediate. In his first year with the Blue Devils in 2008, Ball led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in sacks with 13 and in tackles-for-loss with 24.5. Despite missing two games in 2009 due to an injury and being double teamed, Ball, a defensive end, still managed 9.5 sacks, and recorded a pick-six. Ball earned D3football.com All-America first team honors in both 2008 and 2009; was a second team AP Little All-American in 2009; was the 2009 West Region Defensive Player of the Year; was a two-time All-West Region pick; and was a two-time first team All-WIAC selection. Ball played on the 2009 D3 Bowl of the Stars in Mexico and was selected as a team captain for the American all-stars. Ball, who was an assistant coach for Stout in 2010, was one of three Blue Devil alumni players selected to the D3football.com All-Decade team.