Josh Ball Bio
Josh Ball (born May 15, 1998) is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays in the National Football League. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (138th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. After spending four seasons with the Cowboys organization, he joined the New Orleans Saints in December 2024. Ball played college football at three institutions: Florida State University, Butler Community College, and Marshall University, where he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2020.
Early Life and Background
Josh Ball was born on May 15, 1998, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States. He grew up in Fredericksburg and attended Stafford Senior High School, where he made his mark as a football player. As a senior at Stafford, Ball served as the starting left tackle and earned All-State and All-Conference honors for his performance on the field.
Ball was regarded as a four-star recruit coming out of high school, demonstrating significant potential as an offensive lineman. His standout play at the high school level attracted attention from major college programs, leading him to commit to Florida State University to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to the NFL
After his stellar high school career, Ball enrolled at Florida State University in 2017. As a redshirt freshman, he was named the starting left tackle in the fifth game of the season against Duke University. He maintained that starting role throughout the remainder of the season, appearing in nine consecutive contests at the left tackle position.
Heading into the 2018 season, Ball was expected to be Florida State’s starter at right tackle. However, his college career took an unexpected turn when he was suspended by the university on May 21, 2018, for one year following an accusation of dating violence involving his former girlfriend. Although he was never criminally charged, Ball made the decision to transfer to Butler Community College to continue his football career and his education.
At Butler Community College, Ball served as the starting left tackle. His strong performance there led to another transfer, this time to Marshall University in 2019, where he sought to further develop his skills at the NCAA Division I level.
Josh Ball Career
College Career at Marshall (2019–2020)
In 2019, Ball joined Marshall University as a junior. That season, he primarily served as a key reserve on the team’s offensive line, appearing in 13 games with one start against Western Kentucky University. His versatility and readiness to step in when needed demonstrated his value to the Thundering Herd’s offensive unit.
As a senior in 2020, Ball started eight games at left tackle during a season that was reduced to 10 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His play earned him first-team All-Conference USA recognition at the conclusion of the season. However, his college career ended on a contentious note when he was ejected from the Conference USA Championship Game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham for incurring two personal foul penalties. Rather than playing in the 2020 Camellia Bowl, Ball chose to begin preparing for the NFL draft. He was also forced to miss the 2021 Hula Bowl after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021–2024)
Ball was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round with the 138th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Experts noted that without his off-field issues, he was projected to be a top-70 selection. He signed his rookie contract on May 20, 2021. Unfortunately, his rookie campaign was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain injury on September 2.
In 2022, Ball competed with rookie Matt Waletzko for the reserve swing tackle position during training camp. His performance at tackle in pass protection raised concerns, which prompted the Cowboys to sign veteran Jason Peters at age 40 after Tyron Smith suffered a torn hamstring in the preseason. During Week 14 against the Houston Texans, Ball was called upon to replace an injured Terence Steele, who had torn both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. Late in the fourth quarter, Ball allowed a strip sack on quarterback Dak Prescott that the Cowboys recovered, pushing them back to their three-yard line. On the subsequent play, Ball was beaten again, leading to a second interception. These struggles forced Jason Peters into action at right tackle for the first time since 2006 during the eventual 98-yard game-winning drive. Ball finished the 2022 season having played 41 snaps across 13 games as a backup.
On August 29, 2023, Ball was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hip injury sustained in the final preseason game, ending his season prematurely. In 2024, he was released during roster cuts on August 27 but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. His time with the Cowboys organization concluded after four seasons.
New Orleans Saints (2024–Present)
On December 31, 2024, the New Orleans Saints signed Ball to their active roster. He was declared inactive for the season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Entering 2025, Ball competed for the backup right tackle position behind Taliese Fuaga during the preseason. On July 28, 2025, Ball was waived by the Saints.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 8 inches and 325 pounds, Ball possesses the ideal frame for an NFL offensive tackle. His experience at both left and right tackle positions demonstrates positional flexibility. His collegiate career showed promise as a pass protector, though his transition to the professional level has required continued development and consistency.
Josh Ball Career Wins
Ball has appeared in 13 NFL games across his professional career with the Dallas Cowboys. His most significant collegiate achievement was earning first-team All-Conference USA honors during the 2020 season at Marshall University.
College Highlights
Ball’s most decorated collegiate season came in 2020 at Marshall, where he started eight games at left tackle and earned first-team All-Conference USA recognition. His 2017 season at Florida State also showed promise, as he started nine consecutive games at left tackle after taking over the role mid-season. His career path through three college programs demonstrated his resilience and ability to adapt to different offensive systems.
Professional Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Ball has appeared in 13 games at the professional level, all with the Dallas Cowboys organization. He has served primarily as a backup swing tackle throughout his NFL career.
| Competition Level | Games Played |
|---|---|
| NFL (Dallas Cowboys) | 13 |
Josh Ball Family
Limited verified information is available regarding Josh Ball’s family background and personal life. His family details, including parents and siblings, have not been publicly disclosed in sources meeting the verification threshold for this profile.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented challenges for Ball following his move to the New Orleans Saints. He entered training camp competing for the backup right tackle position behind Taliese Fuaga, a player the Saints were developing as a long-term starter. The competition highlighted the developmental nature of Ball’s role in the NFL, where he has continued to refine his craft as a swing tackle capable of filling in at multiple offensive line positions.
Despite his efforts during the preseason, Ball was waived by the Saints on July 28, 2025. His release came as part of the team’s roster adjustments as they finalized their lineup for the regular season. This move marked another transition in a professional career that has been characterized by positional competitions and navigating roster changes.
Ball’s career trajectory demonstrates the competitive nature of the NFL, where even drafted players must continuously prove their value. His ability to bounce back from previous injuries and secure opportunities with multiple organizations reflects his determination to maintain a presence in professional football. His experience at multiple collegiate programs and positions provides him with versatility that could attract interest from other teams seeking depth along their offensive line.