After two All-American seasons with the Blue Devils, Marcus Ball begins his first year as a Blue Devil coach and will work with the defensive line, the spot where he earned his honors. Ball, a native of Austin, Minn., transferred to UW-Stout after two years playing at community colleges in Minnesota and quickly became one of the most feared pass rushers in the WIAC. Ball rolled up 13 sacks during the 2008 season then, despite an injury during the 2009 season that kept hm out of two games and being double teamed when he played, Ball racked up 9.5 sacks and also scored his first UW-Stout touchdown when he picked off a pass and sauntered 18 yards into the end zone. During the 2009 season, Ball was a first team D3football.com All-America and was selected to the AP Little All-America second team. He was selected as a team captain when he played in the Bowl of the Stars, a Division III all-star game.  In 2008, Ball was a second team D3football.com All-America and recorded 24.5 tackles for loss.