Marcelino McCrary-Ball Bio
Marcelino McCrary-Ball is an American professional football player who serves as a linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 23, 1999, in Roswell, Georgia, McCrary-Ball played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He began his professional career with the San Francisco 49ers and joined the New York Jets organization in 2023, where he has contributed primarily on special teams while developing as a depth linebacker.
Early Life and Background
Marcelino McCrary-Ball grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where he attended Roswell High School. During his time at Roswell High School, he played football and developed the skills that would eventually earn him recognition at the collegiate level. His upbringing in Georgia provided him with the foundation to pursue football at higher levels of competition.
Path to Professional Football
After completing high school in Roswell, McCrary-Ball enrolled at Indiana University, where he played for the Indiana Hoosiers football team from 2016 to 2021. His collegiate career allowed him to develop his defensive abilities and gain experience against high-level competition in the Big Ten Conference.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball Career
College Career (2016–2021)
During his five seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers, McCrary-Ball established himself as a reliable defensive player. He recorded 242 total tackles, with 16.5 tackles for loss, and contributed 5.5 sacks. His defensive skill set included 16 pass deflections and four interceptions, demonstrating his ability to cover receivers and make plays on the ball. McCrary-Ball also showed versatility by returning seven kickoffs for 144 yards and adding one fumble recovery and one forced fumble during his collegiate career.
San Francisco 49ers (2022)
Following the conclusion of his college career in 2021, McCrary-Ball entered the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite not being selected in the draft, his performance at Indiana caught the attention of NFL teams. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022, giving him the opportunity to continue his football journey at the professional level.
New York Jets Era (2023–Present)
On August 31, 2023, McCrary-Ball was signed to the New York Jets practice squad, marking his entry into the Jets organization. He made his NFL debut in Week 11 of the 2023 season, playing 19 special teams snaps against the Buffalo Bills. His performance on special teams earned him a promotion to the active roster on January 6, 2024.
During the 2024 season, McCrary-Ball continued to contribute on special teams. He was waived by the Jets on August 27, 2024, and immediately re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on October 30, 2024, and appeared in 12 games throughout the season, primarily playing special teams duties.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCrary-Ball has developed a reputation as a dependable special teams player throughout his early NFL career. His ability to quickly diagnose plays and maintain assignment discipline has made him a valuable asset on coverage units. His collegiate experience playing multiple defensive positions provides him with versatility that the Jets coaching staff can utilize as they develop his role within the defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among McCrary-Ball’s notable career moments, his NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills in 2023 marked his official entry into professional football. His subsequent transition from the practice squad to the active roster with the Jets demonstrates his persistence and ability to earn opportunities within the organization.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball Career Statistics
Through his first seasons in the NFL, McCrary-Ball has compiled defensive statistics while making his primary impact on special teams. His career includes time with both the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets organizations.
College Statistics (Indiana Hoosiers)
At Indiana, McCrary-Ball accumulated 242 tackles over his collegiate career. He contributed 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while also recording 16 pass deflections and four interceptions. His all-around defensive production highlighted his ability to make plays in various aspects of the game.
Professional Career Statistics
In his NFL career through the 2024 season, McCrary-Ball has recorded 30 tackles and one forced fumble. These statistics reflect his development as he continues to earn playing time on defense while maintaining his role on special teams.
| Level | Season | Tackles | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|
| College (Indiana) | 2016–2021 | 242 | 1 |
| NFL | 2022–2024 | 30 | 1 |
2025 Season Performance
McCrary-Ball entered the 2025 season as one of the New York Jets backup linebackers, continuing his role on special teams while competing for additional defensive opportunities. In Week 3 of the 2025 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he entered the game following an injury to starting linebacker Quincy Williams. However, McCrary-Ball suffered a hamstring injury during that game, which necessitated placement on injured reserve on September 23, 2025.
He was activated from injured reserve on November 22, 2025, ahead of the Jets Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The activation marked his return to the active roster after recovering from the hamstring injury. Unfortunately, McCrary-Ball was placed back on injured reserve on December 6, 2025, due to recurring hamstring issues that continued to affect his availability during the season.
Despite the injury setbacks, McCrary-Ball remained a part of the Jets linebacker rotation when healthy. His ability to contribute on special teams continued to be a valuable component of his game as he worked to establish a more consistent role within the Jets defense.