Ball No Longer A Nole

Posted May 5, 2008 by Aaron Knox

Updated May 5, 2008 at 01:04 PM

Sophomore linebacker Marcus Ball’s disappointing stint at Florida State is over. The school announced Monday that Ball is no longer on the team after asking for a release from his scholarship.

Ball’s career started with promise when he played in the first four games of his freshman season. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Rice and missed the final nine games.

Ball returned last season, recording 24 tackles and a sack in nine games. He also served a one-game suspension for an unspecified violation of team rules, believed to be a failed drug test based on FSU’s student-athlete code of conduct. A player is forced to serve a one-game suspension for a second failed drug test.

A third failed drug test results in dismissal from the team.  Ball was also implicated in the academic cheating scandal that included more than 20 football players and missed the Music City Bowl. He also faced a three-game suspension at the start of next season if he had stayed.