Marcelino McCrary-Ball Bio
Marcelino McCrary-Ball is an American professional football player who plays linebacker in the National Football League. He is currently a member of the New York Jets, where he contributes on defense and on special teams. McCrary-Ball played his college football at Indiana before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Marcelino McCrary-Ball was born on March 23, 1999, in Roswell, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area and attended Roswell High School, where he developed into a college-level linebacker prospect. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing about 213 pounds, he built the physical frame that has defined his professional profile.
During his time at Roswell High School, McCrary-Ball earned recognition as a hard-hitting defensive player and a reliable special teams contributor. His high school performance attracted the attention of several college programs, and he ultimately committed to play for the Indiana Hoosiers of the Big Ten Conference.
Path to American Football
McCrary-Ball’s path to professional football began in the Big Ten Conference, where he spent his college years suiting up for the Indiana Hoosiers. He appeared in multiple seasons as a starting linebacker, steadily adding to his résumé as a tackler and a playmaker in coverage.
At Indiana, McCrary-Ball was used in a variety of roles along the front seven and on special teams, which helped him sharpen the instincts that scouts look for in undrafted prospects. By the end of his senior season, he had positioned himself as a priority free agent target for NFL teams looking for depth at linebacker.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball Career
College Career (Indiana Hoosiers)
During his collegiate career with the Indiana Hoosiers, Marcelino McCrary-Ball was a productive linebacker. He finished his time at Indiana with 242 total tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 16 pass deflections, four interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. He also returned seven kickoffs for 144 yards, underscoring his value on special teams.
Those numbers reflected McCrary-Ball’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways. He was trusted in coverage, effective against the run, and reliable on special teams, traits that made him an attractive prospect despite going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022)
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Marcelino McCrary-Ball was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He joined a linebacker group that included established veterans, which made the climb to a roster spot a difficult one. McCrary-Ball spent time working within the 49ers system during the 2022 offseason and preseason.
New York Jets Era (2023–Present)
On August 31, 2023, Marcelino McCrary-Ball was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad. He made his NFL debut in Week 11 of the 2023 season, playing 19 special teams snaps against the Buffalo Bills. After that performance, he was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024.
In 2024, McCrary-Ball experienced some roster movement. He was waived by the Jets on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted back to the active roster on October 30. He appeared in 12 games during the 2024 season, primarily contributing on special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Marcelino McCrary-Ball is known for his tackling reliability, his instincts in run support, and his willingness to play aggressively on special teams. He reads plays quickly at the line of scrimmage, fills gaps with physicality, and has shown the coverage skills that produced four interceptions in college. His combination of effort, special teams value, and defensive depth has helped him remain on an NFL roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Marcelino McCrary-Ball’s most memorable career moments is his NFL debut in Week 11 of the 2023 season against the Buffalo Bills, when he logged 19 special teams snaps. Another milestone came on January 6, 2024, when he was signed to the Jets’ active roster, solidifying his place in the league.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball Career Wins
As a linebacker who has primarily played on special teams and in a reserve defensive role, Marcelino McCrary-Ball’s individual win totals are not publicly documented in the sources available. His contributions have been measured more by tackles, coverage snaps, and roster promotions than by headline-grabbing statistical milestones.
NFL Highlights
McCrary-Ball’s NFL résumé is highlighted by his promotion to the New York Jets’ active roster in January 2024 and his 12-game appearance total during the 2024 season. His most notable on-field moment came in his debut against the Buffalo Bills in 2023, where he contributed immediately on special teams.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Marcelino McCrary-Ball’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Roswell, Georgia, and his upbringing in that community played a significant role in shaping his early athletic development.
Personal Life
Marcelino McCrary-Ball has kept much of his personal life private. He is known to reside in the United States and continues his professional football career with the New York Jets.
2025 Season Performance
Marcelino McCrary-Ball entered the 2025 NFL season as one of the New York Jets’ backup linebackers, working behind the team’s starting group. Early in the year, he was positioned to take on a larger defensive role, especially given his experience on special teams and in spot defensive duty.
In Week 3 of the 2025 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McCrary-Ball entered the game after an injury to starting linebacker Quincy Williams, but he suffered a hamstring injury of his own during the contest. As a result, he was placed on injured reserve on September 23, 2025. McCrary-Ball was later activated on November 22, ahead of the Jets’ Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, providing a boost to the linebacker group.
Unfortunately, recurring hamstring issues forced McCrary-Ball back onto injured reserve on December 6. Despite the setbacks, his continued presence on the Jets’ roster signals the organization’s confidence in his long-term value as a depth linebacker and core special teams player.