Free agent defensive back Marcus Ball has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers, per NFL sources.
The 28-year-old has two seasons of CFL experience, both with the Argos. He was a standout rookie defender for Toronto during the team’s 2012 Grey Cup championship season. That year Ball registered 73 tackles, three sacks and one interception that he returned for a touchdown. He was named the Argos’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player for his efforts.
During the 2012 Eastern Semi-final, Ball made four tackles and one interception which he returned 53 yards to setup a touchdown that put the Argos in control 21-7, Toronto eventually went on to win 42-26 and advance to the East Final. In that game Ball recorded five tackles and two interceptions, one pick-off came with the game tied 17-17 which led to the go-ahead touchdown and the boatmen emerged victorious 27-20 to advance to the CFL title game.
Ball also played a prominent role in Toronto’s 100th Grey Cup victory 35-22 over the Calgary Stampeders with six tackles.
He followed up a strong first-year with an impressive second season making 69 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and recovered three fumbles. The Argos went 11-7 in 2013 and claimed first place in the East at the end of the regular season, but lost to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern Final. Ball had four tackles and one sack in the defeat.
NFL teams were interested in Ball’s services after he played at a high level in his first two CFL seasons. That led to the New Orleans Saints signing Ball to a three-year contract on April 2, 2014. The six-foot-one, 220-pounder played in 12 games with the Saints in 2014, starting two at safety, and made 12 tackles and seven stops on special teams. Despite a solid first season in New Orleans, Ball was released by the Saints on May 4, 2015 and signed 17 days later with Carolina. The Panthers let him go after training camp.