ASU Football: Marcus Ball calls it a career

After battling injuries and seizures, ASU football is losing a crucial member of its program as fifth year senior Marcus Ball has announced his retirement.

Coming off an impressive season as a redshirt junior, fans and coaches alike had high expectations for Marcus Ball entering the 2017 season. He ranked second in tackles with 64 and was one of the few veteran presences at Arizona State.

Little did anyone know that Ball would not make it back onto the field for his final season in Tempe. After missing parts of camp and the season opener against New Mexico State, Ball announced his retirement on Twitter.

The Westerville, Ohio native cited his battle with seizures as what caused him to hang up his cleats, prioritizing his health and his family. Ball also became a father in April.

The loss of Ball thins an ASU defense out that was already lacking depth . The Sun Devils defense showed noticeable fatigue in the second and fourth quarters of the team’s victory over the Aggies on August 31.

Aside from his on-field performance, Ball has been with the program through its peaks and valleys under head coach Todd Graham. Among the few remaining players from an ASU team that won the Pac-12 South in 2013, Ball was a veteran with experience and would likely have been a leader for the Sun Devils this season.

Moving forward, the loss of a veteran player such as Ball increases the demand for a younger player to assume leadership duties and help ASU grow with an inexperienced roster.

Next: ASU Football: 2017 Pac-12 Week Two Power Rankings

The Sun Devils first game without Marcus Ball comes on September 9 against San Diego State.