Cameron Ball to help anchor Arkansas’ D-line

FAYETTEVILLE — Redshirt junior Cameron Ball could be on the cusp of a breakout season in 2024.

Ball, 6-5, 315, was a highly recruited prospect out of Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta. In the two seasons with the Hogs, he has been very productive from his tackle spot. Following Tuesday’s practice, Ball talked about the six practices to this point.

“Man, it’s been fun,” Ball said. “Just you saying that, I can remember just like yesterday just walking into this building and now I’m one of the vets around here. So as much as I can I try to give advice to the younger guys and the up and coming freshmen, but it has been a blast and especially with the group that we have and the bond that we have in the defensive line room.”

In 11 games during the 2023 season, Ball had 32 tackles, seven solo, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sack and forced a fumble. He played in two games in 2021 as a true freshman recording his first tackle against UAPB. In 13 games in 2022, he made his first career start against Kansas in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. He finished the season with 31 tackles, nine solo, 2.5 for loss, a sack and forced one fumble. Ball likes the new alignment for the defensive line this season and feels it can help him.

“It can definitely free up some one on ones on the inside and the interior,” Ball said. “It shows versatility for the inside guys as well. Just like I said more one on ones in pass rush.”

In 2023, the offensive line was a much maligned unit. Ball talked about what he has seen from this year’s offensive line that has three new starters and Patrick Kutas moving from tackle to guard.

“Just physicality from the group all together,” Ball said. “Kutas is one heck of a player. Man, day in and day out it’s a battle between me and him. And at the end of the day we still remain friends. Between the whistles, at practice times, we’re on different sides but other than that, Kutas is a good player and a great person.”

While Eric Gregory has spent the majority of the spring running first team along with Ball, but redshirt freshman Ian Geffrard, 6-5, 380, offers some quality depth. Ball likes what he has seen from the massive tackle.

“Just pad level,” Ball said. “You know, Ian is a big guy, probably one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. He dropped a couple of pounds so we’re still working on that. But overall, I think he wants to play. You can tell by the way. He just carries himself now. He’s not a freshman anymore. So we don’t look at him as a young guy. To be honest, we need him.”

At defensive end, Arkansas also added Anton Juncaj, 6-3, 275, from Albany, an FCS school. Ball talked about what he has seen from the newcomer.

“I think he’s adjusting well,” Ball said. “Anton is a physical freak. He’s a great person, too. Being in this conference, there’s more heavy run. So he’s still adjusting to more run than it was pass where he previously was, but he’s coming along just fine.”

Ball feels the entire team benefitted from defensive end Landon Jackson opting to return for his senior season instead of enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

“It helps a bunch,” Ball said. “Landon is just, he’s one of those guys when he walks in a room, you automatically just go, wow. When you cut on the film, he’s all over the place in a good way. It feels very good to have Landon back, and alongside me, because I play on the side with Landon. Our chemistry and our bond is tight on the field, so it’s very good to have Landon back.”

A defensive relies on a good pass rush and Arkansas is no different. Ball talked about how the pass rush session went on Tuesday.

“I think it’s a very helpful drill for both sides of the ball,” Ball said. “I know from a defensive standpoint, we really don’t know what to expect. We don’t know if we’re going to get a run block. Pass block. Being in those different scenarios and situations, it allows us when the bullet is really flying to adjust on the fly.”

Overall, Ball felt good about Tuesday’s practice, the first since returning from spring break.

“I would say just watching the younger guys go after us and later on in the day I would just look at the film and base it off of that and see how I can better myself or help better my teammates, or even the guys on the opposite side of the ball come next practice,” Ball said.

Ball also likes what he has seen from the quarterback room that is missing KJ Jefferson from last season. Malachi Singleton and Jacolby Criswell are back to go with newcomers Taylen Green and KJ Jackson.

“I think they both have grown from last year,” Ball said of the two returnees. “I want to say that this is probably the first time in Arkansas that it is really a quarterback battle. That quarterback room is stacked. They all carry the tools and assets of being a great runner and a great passer. They’re pretty fast but I feel like I can catch them.”

Arkansas will return to the practice fields on Thursday. The Hogs will scrimmage on Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. It’s open to the public. Fans wishing to attend Saturday’s open practice can park in Lot 44 (north of the stadium) for free and enter Gate 14 on the northeast side of the stadium beginning at 8:30 a.m. Fan seating will be located on the east side of the stadium only. No concession stands will be open but outside food and drinks will be allowed.