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Ball State football fans will have a chance to get their first look at the Cardinals during Saturday's Spring Showcase, and there is no shortage of new faces for fans to familiarize themselves with.
In addition to a new head coach and an almost entirely new staff, Ball State welcomed 25 new players in the offseason — 15 transfers and 10 freshmen. Many of the transfers are expected to be featured on the Cardinals' two-deep next fall.
Here are five newcomers to watch at Ball State's Spring Showcase who could play big roles for the Cardinals this season:
Qua Ashley transferred to Ball State after three seasons at Kennesaw State. The redshirt junior was named first-team All-Conference USA as a kick returner last season and was an honorable mention all-CUSA pick at running back.
Ashley excels in space with quick acceleration and great top-end speed. He is a versatile weapon out of the backfield who led the Owls in receptions last season with 28. Though it is a crowded backfield with fellow speedster Elijah Jackson (Purdue transfer) and the returning thumper T.J. Horton, Ashley seems like the best bet to fill the role of primary back.
Eric Weatherly joined Ball State after earning first-team All-Patriot League honors at Bucknell. Weatherly began his college career at Duke in 2022 before transferring to Bucknell, where he caught 117 passes for 1,468 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He started all 12 games last year and led the Bison with 75 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.
Weatherly stands out on the field because of his size. At just 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Weatherly is one of the smallest players on the roster, but he is a tough cover with great speed, quick feet and fluid route running. He seems to be developing an early rapport with quarterback Kiael Kelly, and with the departures of Cam Pickett, Malcolm Gillie and Justin Bowick from the wide receivers room, Weatherly is primed to step in and earn targets.
Nathan Voorhis joined Ball State for his final season of collegiate eligibility. He started his career at UConn but played sparingly in two seasons before transferring to Bryant, where he logged 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a forced fumble last season.
Out of four players classified as defensive ends on Ball State's roster, Voorhis is the most experienced and most productive of the bunch. He has been one of the most impressive defenders in spring practice, consistently pressuring the quarterback, blowing up run plays or batting down passes in 11-on-11 drills. Look for him to do more of the same on Saturday.
Like Voorhis, Alfred Chea joins the Cardinals with one year of eligibility remaining. He also started his career at UConn and spent five seasons there, though he did not play in 2020 and redshirted in 2022. Chea appeared in all 13 games for the Huskies last year, finishing the season with eight tackles and a fumble recovery.
When Chea signed with Ball State, he was announced as a "sniper," a hybrid linebacker/defensive back position in defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles' scheme. However, since the team began practicing, Chea has been playing linebacker full-time. Given his experience at both positions, it will be interesting to see how Chea is utilized within the scheme, especially with other potential snipers around like Old Dominion transfer safety Ashton Whitner.
Roman Pearson joined Weatherly as Ball State's second pickup from Bucknell. Pearson arrives as a redshirt junior with two seasons of eligibility after starting for the Bison the last two years. He played in all 12 games last season and finished with 40 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions, six pass breakups and a forced fumble as a redshirt freshman in 2023.
At 6-2, Pearson has the ideal size and length for the cornerback position. He also has football in his blood as the son of former Ohio State standout running back Pepe Pearson. Ball State's pass defense struggled mightily in 2024, and a tall, rangy corner with good ball skills like Pearson could be exactly what it needs.
Contact Cade Hampton via email at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ball State football: Top 5 newcomers to watch at Spring Showcase
Continue reading...
In addition to a new head coach and an almost entirely new staff, Ball State welcomed 25 new players in the offseason — 15 transfers and 10 freshmen. Many of the transfers are expected to be featured on the Cardinals' two-deep next fall.
Here are five newcomers to watch at Ball State's Spring Showcase who could play big roles for the Cardinals this season:
Qua Ashley, RB, No. 9
Qua Ashley transferred to Ball State after three seasons at Kennesaw State. The redshirt junior was named first-team All-Conference USA as a kick returner last season and was an honorable mention all-CUSA pick at running back.
Ashley excels in space with quick acceleration and great top-end speed. He is a versatile weapon out of the backfield who led the Owls in receptions last season with 28. Though it is a crowded backfield with fellow speedster Elijah Jackson (Purdue transfer) and the returning thumper T.J. Horton, Ashley seems like the best bet to fill the role of primary back.
122 carries, 409 Rushing yards
28 receptions , 255 receiving yards
1,193 all purpose yards
4 TDS
2 years of eligibility remaining pic.twitter.com/7rfeEoCQ78
— Qua (@QuaAshley3) December 1, 2024
Eric Weatherly, WR, No. 3
Eric Weatherly joined Ball State after earning first-team All-Patriot League honors at Bucknell. Weatherly began his college career at Duke in 2022 before transferring to Bucknell, where he caught 117 passes for 1,468 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He started all 12 games last year and led the Bison with 75 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.
Weatherly stands out on the field because of his size. At just 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Weatherly is one of the smallest players on the roster, but he is a tough cover with great speed, quick feet and fluid route running. He seems to be developing an early rapport with quarterback Kiael Kelly, and with the departures of Cam Pickett, Malcolm Gillie and Justin Bowick from the wide receivers room, Weatherly is primed to step in and earn targets.
Nathan Voorhis, DE, No. 44
Nathan Voorhis joined Ball State for his final season of collegiate eligibility. He started his career at UConn but played sparingly in two seasons before transferring to Bryant, where he logged 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a forced fumble last season.
Out of four players classified as defensive ends on Ball State's roster, Voorhis is the most experienced and most productive of the bunch. He has been one of the most impressive defenders in spring practice, consistently pressuring the quarterback, blowing up run plays or batting down passes in 11-on-11 drills. Look for him to do more of the same on Saturday.
Alfred Chea, LB, No. 26
Like Voorhis, Alfred Chea joins the Cardinals with one year of eligibility remaining. He also started his career at UConn and spent five seasons there, though he did not play in 2020 and redshirted in 2022. Chea appeared in all 13 games for the Huskies last year, finishing the season with eight tackles and a fumble recovery.
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When Chea signed with Ball State, he was announced as a "sniper," a hybrid linebacker/defensive back position in defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles' scheme. However, since the team began practicing, Chea has been playing linebacker full-time. Given his experience at both positions, it will be interesting to see how Chea is utilized within the scheme, especially with other potential snipers around like Old Dominion transfer safety Ashton Whitner.
Roman Pearson, CB, No. 5
Roman Pearson joined Weatherly as Ball State's second pickup from Bucknell. Pearson arrives as a redshirt junior with two seasons of eligibility after starting for the Bison the last two years. He played in all 12 games last season and finished with 40 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions, six pass breakups and a forced fumble as a redshirt freshman in 2023.
At 6-2, Pearson has the ideal size and length for the cornerback position. He also has football in his blood as the son of former Ohio State standout running back Pepe Pearson. Ball State's pass defense struggled mightily in 2024, and a tall, rangy corner with good ball skills like Pearson could be exactly what it needs.
Contact Cade Hampton via email at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ball State football: Top 5 newcomers to watch at Spring Showcase
Continue reading...
