Cam Ball cementing legacy in fifth year with Arkansas football

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas redshirt senior defensive lineman Cam Ball is a bit of a unicorn in today’s college football landscape.

The Atlanta-area native has stuck out his entire college career in Fayetteville, and is a key piece of this year’s Razorbacks defensive line.

Last season, he started all 13 games and tallied a career-high 47 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. That productive season was in spite of the fact he dealt with an elbow injury that eventually required surgery that forced him to miss all of spring practice.

After the year ended, Ball was hit from all angles from teams that offered him more money to hit the transfer portal. He declined, though, because above all else, he said, he values loyalty.

“Good things come to those who wait,” Ball told reporters on Thursday. “I feel like God has led me where my journey here, and nothing but good things have came since being here.

“Yeah, I had opportunities to leave, but it was no point to just pack up and go for a matter of a year or so, and lose all the connections and relationships I built in this state and just, the people. I love the people here in Arkansas. Not only in Fayetteville, but I’ve been all around Arkansas and I just love this state in general.”

Arkansas defensive line coach Deke Adams said when it came to Ball, the belief in the Razorbacks’ system was a big factor in his decision to stay.

“He had some, some major stuff going on, and he chose us to stay here and he believes in what we’re doing,” Adams said. “He believes in what we’re doing in the D-line room he’s in. And a lot of times people in this business now, it’s become such money-driven that it’s all about how much this and how much that and they really don’t get a chance to know the kids.

“It’s that it’s more about, than that kid, the money. And he’s invested in the program and we’re invested in him. And so we’re excited about the relationship we have. “

Cam’s father played big role in decision to stay

At SEC Media Days, Ball opened up about losing his father to cancer earlier this year. “Iceman,” as he was lovingly referred to, actually played a big role in Ball’s decision to return to Arkansas.

“I just knew I wanted to be here for my last year if I had to come back,” Ball said. “And that’s what my father wanted as well. Because I talked to him about it, being in the hospital with him and all the offers and stuff was coming in.

“But my dad told me to stay, and I stayed. Not only because of me, but because of my father as well. When I committed to this university, my family did and my whole family fell in love with it. So we’re going to finish what I started and that’s why I’m still here.”

Charles Ball passed away from stomach cancer on June 9, which he was diagnosed with in March of 2024. That didn’t stop him from seeing his son when the Hogs beat Tennessee last season.

“The last game that my father came to was the Tennessee game,” Ball said. “That’s when things started to get a little worse. But that game, for that to be like the last game of him seeing, it was it was a surreal moment.”

Cam said he warned his parents not to storm the field if the Hogs pulled off the upset. That warning, nor Charles’ health issues, didn’t stop him.

“I didn’t want nobody to trample my parents,” Cam said. “And everybody rushed the field, I turned my head, he was right behind me and I’m like, ‘Man, you’re hard-headed, man. I told you I was going to come to you.’

“That was the last game my father came to a person and then he seen the Liberty Bowl on TV. After that, that’s when things started taking a little toll. So he started watching the games on TV. But I’m glad that that was the game for him to see me one last time in person.”

What Ball is working on this season

As most Division I college football players, Ball has NFL aspirations. He’s showcased his ability to do just about everything a defensive tackle needs to do to play in the league, but he said consistency is what he’s focusing on in 2025.

“I want to, you know, not take reps off, not take plays off, just keep doing the same thing over and over again,” Ball said. “I feel like that will improve my game and also pass-rush. Like I say all the time, man, I feel like I solidified myself in the run game, but I have to have a bigger emphasis and more dominant pursuit in the pass rush as well.”

Ball and the Razorbacks will take the practice field for fall camp practice No. 13 on Friday morning. Subscribe to HawgBeat for $1 for your first week and stay up-to-date with everything going on with Arkansas football.