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Ball checks out Michigan

Westerville (Ohio) South athlete Marcus Ball committed to Wisconsin two weeks before head coach Bret Bielema left to take the Arkansas job. While he waits for the Badgers to name a new head coach, the three-star prospect took an official visit to Michigan this weekend.
"They offered me last Sunday and as soon as they offered me I wanted to go up on an official," Ball said. "I was up there at a camp, and I liked Ann Arbor. I know a couple guys in my class that are committed there, but also know guys that are up there - like Trey Burke - who are from my area."
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Ball already knew Columbus-area Michigan commits Jake Butt, Taco Charlton and Jaron Dukes. During his official visit he also met other members of Michigan's 2013 class, including Shane Morris, Ross Douglas and Wyatt Shallman.
"It was good to see because the 2013 class was what intrigued me the most," Ball said. "They are so close and act like they have been with each other for years. Everybody pretty much was cool. Pretty much everybody who was up there embraced me like brothers."
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Ball has played quarterback and safety during his prep career, but is being recruited by Michigan to play in the front seven.
"They are recruiting me for SAM 'backer," Ball said. "Basically the SAM backer in their scheme is a Troy Polamalu-type guy. He has to be quick enough to [cover], but also has to be tough and hard-nosed to blitz. That is something I think I can do. I like safety and like being back there, but it is based moreso on my weight and my height."
Ball has also scheduled an official visit to Arizona State for the weekend of Jan. 11. His commitment to Wisconsin remains intact, though, while he waits to see who succeeds Bielema.
"Wisconsin doesn't change… it is still the program it has always been," Ball said. "Right now I am not going to make any decision as far as decommitting. I am just going to wait and see who the coach is going to be, get a feel for him and see where it goes from there."
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