NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Arkansas DL Cameron Ball

Matt HolderApr 16, 2026

Cameron Ball has the potential to be a disruptive force on the interior defensive line, with his combination of an explosive get-off and upper-body strength.

Recruited and ranked as an offensive lineman coming out of high school, Ball was a 3-star recruit in the 2021 high school class. He went to Arkansas to play defensive tackle, redshirting as a true freshman and starting for two and a half seasons.

The Atlanta native finished his college career with 138 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass defended and two forced fumbles.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Where He Wins

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 19 LSU at Arkansas

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- Ball looks the part, owning solid size and length for an NFL defensive tackle. He also shows solid overall quickness for his size.

- Good get-off with impressive burst off the line of scrimmage to get penetration or reset the line of scrimmage.

- Against the run, he's quick to get his hands up and has the upper-body strength to stand up and lock out interior offensive linemen.

- Decent lateral movement skills to avoid getting reached or scooped.

- Has the get-off and leg drive to be a solid bull-rusher at the next level, occassionally collapsing the pocket.

- Was used anywhere from a 4i-technique defensive end to a 0-technique nose tackle, showing some alignment versatility to fit into multiple fronts.

Areas of Improvement

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- Ball had minimal pass-rush production in college and will likely be more of an early-down player at the next level.

- Doesn't use his hands or work the offensive lineman's hands after contact as a pass-rusher, limiting his pass-rush moves and allowing blockers to stay engaged with him.

- Doesn't rush with a plan, showing no counter moves if he doesn't win initially.

- Subpar pass-rush motor to get coverage sacks.

- Has a habit of playing with a narrow base and high pad level, which can cause him issues against combo and down blocks.

- Not good at shedding blocks, leading to him getting stuck.