Jane and Walt Dennis Golf Perfomance Center, Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility. 1 receiver at a place as loaded at the position group like Ohio State is. Despite being ranked behind Egbuka and Harrison Jr., Ballard was a certified stud coming out of high school. Again, not taking away from any of these guys potential to be just that, but Ballard has been billed as the potential next version of those former Buckeye greats. Im used to getting pushed so that helps. So me and Jayden are definitely up there.. While he may never become the top guy in Columbus, he will certainly have a chance to become an integral part of Ohio States wide receiver rotation moving forward. Long-strider with solid timed speed. The wide receiver room within the Ohio State football program is overflowing with talent. The All-American Bowl has been the nations premier high school sporting event over the last two decades, with the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Trevor Lawrence, Adrian Peterson and Derrick Henry having suited up. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Jayden Ballard from Massillon, OH, a 4-star wide receiver, is joining the 2021 recruiting class and making his way to Columbus. Massillon relied heavily on the run game and a strong defensive effort, recording three interceptions and scoring all four TDs on the ground. Has the potential to develop into and NFL prospect. Buy Buckeyes gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, Lids, Miller opened up about mental illness, sports world listened, What OSUs RBs want to accomplish, why Harry Millers message matters: Podcast, First NCAA Tournament game must be viewed as must-win for OSU: Means, Henderson says 2021 concussion left side effects for weeks, Miller medically retires, citing mental health struggle, How does WR Fleming feel this spring, where will Egbuka fit in? 4 receiver, No. The latest Buckeyes commitment had seven early offers from schools around the country, including Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State, Washington State and Maryland many others may have decided against offering because of the presumption that Ballard, who Ohio State offered in his freshman year with the Tigers, would end up with committing early to the Buckeyes. Each edition of Freshman Focus will highlight one of the newest Buckeyes, and will hopefully provide a glimpse at what they will bring to the team in the coming years. In his high school career, he recorded 141 catches for 2,636 yards and 37 touchdowns, becoming Massillon Washington's all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. he also led the Tigers to three-straight Division 2 state title games. Jayden Ballard Excited for Pretty Dangerous Receiver Group, Finding Out Basketball Starting Five Among 2021 Signees, Bucks in Desperate Need of Win At Nebraska, Offense Sputters for Second Straight Game, Former Oregon State Quarterback Tristan Gebbia Transferring to Ohio State, Ohio State Captain Kamryn Babb Wont Use Final Year of Eligibility: "I Am Excited to Start the Next Chapter That God Has For Me". Now it's time to go put it on the field. Ballard sounds like a guy who is up for the challenge, so I am eager to see what he can do in the future. (Birm/Lettermen Row). That receiver is Jayden Ballard. Its a sport that he absolutely would have been a collegiate scholarship athlete in had he pursued it as a career instead of football. And he signed before either of those classmates, which is further evidence that Hartline and Day have been intrigued by his potential for some time. It was very exciting, Ballard said. In addition to the guys ahead of him, Ballard will also have to battle against fellow freshmen wide receivers in Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. Fresh cotton and other wares at Eleven Warriors Dry Goods. 4-star wide receiver Jayden Ballard joins the Buckeyes from Massillon. *Percentile caluculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). (Our relationship is) really strong. He is a 4-star recruit according. We spoke with five of the Buckeyes signees last week to get their thoughts on who a starting five would be from the entire 21-man group, and Ballard was the only unanimous selection. All rights reserved (About Us). No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. I stopped after my freshman year to focus on football. Which is fine, because a lot of other people have no problem talking up Ballard these days. 2021: OSU Scholar-Athlete, More on Jayden Youre Nuts: Who will replace C.J. The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class. Despite being a top-100 player in his recruiting class, Ballard has not always been hyped up like some of his WR peers. They also have a ton of big names returning around them, including last years No. Watch. Ballard says hes set to enroll early in Columbus. Position Wide Receiver. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound prospect racked up most of that yardage on a long reception toward the end of the first quarter, breaking free behind the defense and corralling a pass inside the 10-yard line. Good athlete who also excels on the basketball court. Ballard only played in one game . I think our class is one of the best classes to be put together, Ballard said before going into what made OSU right for him. He camped with Ohio State in early June and was much improved in that outing compared to his performance at The Opening regional camp at the end of April. Ballard was also a four-star recruit when he was coming out of high school back in 2021. Same-Sex Marriage By: Jayden Ballard Kids grown up with Homosexual parents have no disadvantages whatsoever. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Hes) no B.S. "He's really athletic, really raw. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson have become household names, while younger receivers hope to have the same fate. I feel more confident, Ballard said. Invited to play in the Army All-American Bowl Tracks the ball well in the air and wins in contested situations. It is a great problem for OSU to have, but a challenge for the individual players. As a top-100 national prospect, Ballard only collected around seven scholarship offers during the recruiting process due to his early commitment to Ohio State. Massillon (Ohio) Washington Top247 receiver Jayden Ballard was awarded his jersey to play in the All-American Bowl this week. Today we feature Jayden Ballard from Washington High School in Massillon, OH. Im just trying to compete, Ballard said. If supporting an indie site is your thing, please considerbecoming a 12th Warrior,buying our merch, or contributing in other ways. The bigger strides, though, are mental. Its not personal, the ambivalence he felt about meeting with the media this past Thursday after Ohio State footballs second spring practice. Formations and calls become second nature. Jayden Ballard is in his second season with Ohio State As a freshman, Ballard played in three games and had one reception for four yards from backup quarterback Kyle McCord against Akron.. My dad always pushed me so Im used to (how Hartline will coach). Ballard came into Ohio State along with five-star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and four-star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. He's somebody that could provide a huge, huge boost to our offense because he does have the ability. 9 Smith did while piling up 2,500 receiving yards and becoming a second-round draft pick. Harrison Jr. showed out in the Rose Bowl, and physically, is unlike any other WR on the OSU roster. Obviously becoming the top wide receiver at Ohio State is quite a difficult task. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. But Jaydens definitely a great basketball player. The Columbus Dispatchs Bill Rabinowitz compared him to Devin Smith another former Buckeye from Massillon and I couldnt agree more (not that Rabinowitz needs my affirmation). Spring goals include rounding out his short and intermediate game. But there was still work to be done and Ballard didnt rest on his laurels. JSN does, and will continue to do, everything for Ohio State. The Buckeyes basically have a wide receiver room made up entirely of guys who would be the best player on most other teams around the country, and Ballard is another one that fits that bill. Massillon (Ohio) Washington Top247 receiver Jayden Ballard was awarded his jersey to play in the All-American Bowl this week. Ballard put together a historic career for head coach Nate Moore at Washington High School, hauling in a total of 146 receptions for over 2,600 yards and 37 touchdowns the latter two stats of which make him the all-time career leader for the Tigers. I think Ben would be a great center with his big body down there. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. I dont know if he told you about that, but he can pull from deep. Everyone wants to be a baller. He is an OSU Scholar-Athlete who is majoring in sport coaching, rec and physical education By 11W Staff on September 27, 2020 at 8:05 am @11w. Stroud as Ohio States quarterback? Ballard is an Ohio native, hailing from Massillon Washington High School, and has been already been a Buckeye for nearly two years. COLUMBUS, Ohio Jayden Ballard would just as soon not talk for himself, thanks. The relationship between Ballard and Ohio State really didnt kick into gear until the Buckeyes 2019 spring game when Ballard visited with his parents. He opens up his route tree as well.. Prep Tracker: Jayden Ballard's Trick Pass Play Buoys Late Comeback, Gabe Powers Leads Defensive Charge, Mike Hall Set to Return From Injury. Jayden Ballard. He enrolled in classes in Jan. 2021 and went through spring drills Ballard is an Ohio native, hailing from Massillon Washington High School, and has been already been a Buckeye for nearly two years. Once he develops his route running, he's going to be one of the best in the country.. 99 overall player in 2021. Odds & lines subject to change. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jayden Ballard including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). In that opener, Ballard poured in a team-high 16 points while adding eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in a 78-73 loss. B1G WBB Week 10: Indiana and Maryland battle, Ohio State shines in award predictions, A larger coaching role should lead to a larger recruiting role for Brian Hartline and Ohio State, Why is this News? Ballard opened the box with his parents at home. Currently more of a deep ball threat than one who will make a ton of plays after the catch. He also said that his immediate goal is to contribute on special teams, further indicating that the young wide receiver is willing to pay his dues. Im not afraid to make a mistake. Thatll be pretty dangerous. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onOhio State Buckeyes and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Because of Ballards age, the ability to communicate over the last year-plus has been limited to primarily face-to-face contact and that isnt always easy to accomplish when youre dealing with an active teenage athlete. Spring practice has now come to an end with the conclusion of the spring football game, and this years crop of Buckeyes have been hard at work preparing for the 2021 campaign. "It was very. Jayden Ballard is my guy, Chris Olave said. Can get down the field and take the top off a defense. Whats a successful B1G tourney run look like for OSU? I think the first night on campus well get a little pickup game going. Ballard fielded multiple questions about comparisons to former Massillon and Buckeye receiver Devin Smith. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Especially when you play in such a talent-rich region, hauling in the local guys is of large importance. Column: The Urban Meyer NFL experiment was an even bigger disaster than we realized, Ohio State Recruiting 2016: Everything You Need To Know, Ohio State Recruiting 2015: Everything You Need To Know. I think they are going to play him on the outside, probably at Z. I am happy for him and hes going to be one of the good ones for Ohio State., The Buckeyes recently welcomed four quality wide receivers in their 2020 freshmen class, including standouts Julian Fleming and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 3 overall player in the state of Ohio Overall Rating: 78.8 / 100. Week 11: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Nov. 19, College Park, MD. 15 wideout and the No. As he heads into his Ohio State career, one the begins the first week of January when he arrives to campus as an early enrollee, Jayden Ballard was excited to hear about the fact that the receivers room would be growing with the commitment of fellow high-end recruit Emeka Egbuka. Ohio State's passing game may have taken a hit. Jayden Ballard was a top-100 (inside the top-50 at one point) national recruit, and one of the highest-rated players in Ohio coming out of high school which is no surprise, given that he set . Jayden Ballard, Wide Receiver, Massillon Washington | Irish Sports Daily Football Recruiting Status: Committed HIGH SCHOOL Jayden Ballard Wide Receiver 61 / 164 lbs Massillon, OH Massillon Washington Class of 2021 Rating: 92 ? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Through four games, Ballard is averaging 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals, which includes a pair of double-doubles, one of which came against Ben Christmans Revere Minutemen (though Christman is not playing prior to enrolling early himself). Podcast, Teams to watch as spring football begins: Survivor podcast. Stay tuned to BuckeyesNow and all of our social media outlets (@BuckeyesNowSI) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for continued coverage! Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. He now even wears the same No. Apr 17, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jayden Ballard (10) makes the catch during the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. But if it were up to the redshirt freshman from Massillon, he would have been grabbing lunch or shooting hoops and letting someone else handle the interviews. Support cleveland.com. Land-Grant Holy Land, an Ohio State Buckeyes community, Ohio State five-star DL target to commit this month. The Hurry-Up is your nightly dose of updates from the Ohio State football recruiting trail, keeping tabs on the latest from commits and targets from around the country. School Preferences School Interest Offer Official Visit Ohio State Committed 6/21/2019 The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Ballard is tabbed by the Top247 as the nations No. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is sidelined with an left leg injury and has not seen the field since recording one reception on two targets in the first quarter. In an interview with Eleven Warriors a few days prior to his signing, Ballard talked briefly about what it was going to be like to be in the same position group as six other players ranked in the top 100 overall. Ohio State also has Marvin Harrison Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.) secured in this 2021 cycle along with Ballard, and is firmly in the running for heralded target Emeka Egbuka (Steilacoom, Wash.). Ballard brings an explosive athletic skillset to the table in the Buckeyes' 2021 class, and he showcases that each time he takes the court, which he says has been very helpful in improving his. Youre Nuts: Who will replace C.J. As a junior, caught 68 passes for 1,202 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 80.1 yards per game Coach (Brian) Hartline knows what hes doing, added Moore, when asked about Ballards development leading into college. Ohio State Buckeyes news fromFanSided Daily, Ohio State Football: Jim Tressel throws shade at TTUN, Ohio State football: Debunking THE EXCUSE, Ohio State Football: Recruiting efforts will pay big dividends, Julio Jones' Trade Preferences Limit the Falcons' Options, Ohio State football: This is the time for player improvement. Jayden is in his second year with the program and has four seasons of eligibility Jayden Ballard was a top-100 (inside the top-50 at one point) national recruit, and one of the highest-rated players in Ohio coming out of high school which is no surprise, given that he set records for the legendary Massillon Tigers. Gambling problem? Jayden was rated as the number eight wide receiver in the country, and the number three overall player in the Buckeye State. The 6-foot-2 and 195-pound Ballard hails from Massillon (Ohio . 1 receiver in college. The Buckeyes have the luxury of returning both of last years starting wide receivers in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, who come into the 2021 season as likely the best duo in the country. Ballard had offers from schools like Michigan State and Notre Dame, but he seemed to be a near lock for Ohio State throughout the majority of his young recruitment so far, as Ohio State wide. Just three months later, he had proven to himself and to Brian Hartline that he was ready for the next step and earned his spot in the Buckeyes 2021 class. Hes 6-3, probably like 200 pounds now and he has that body frame. He's put a lot of work in these last seven weeks., Live blog: In the second quarter it's Notre Dame 10, Ohio State 7, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Week 1: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3, in Columbus, Ohio, Week 2: Ohio State vs. Arkansas State, Sept. 10, in Columbus, Ohio, Week 3: Ohio State vs. Toledo, Sept. 17, in Columbus, Ohio, Week 4: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Sept. 24, Columbus, Ohio, Week 5: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, Oct. 1, Columbus Ohio. So if you (we) havent done so already, it sounds like its time to raise your expectations for this redshirt freshman. Jack was one of the few guys who actually played in high school, McCord said. 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Effort, recording three interceptions and scoring all four TDs on the OSU roster ton of big returning! State is quite a difficult task spring game when Ballard visited with his big body down.. The OSU roster he 's somebody that could provide a huge, boost... Massillon, OH you about that, but a challenge for the individual players have, but a for... Already been a collegiate scholarship athlete in had he pursued it as a career instead football! Ballard opened the box with his big body down there and making his way to Columbus kick into until! When he was coming out of high school back in 2021 was work! College football, and has been already been a collegiate scholarship athlete in had he pursued it as a instead! Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson have become household names, while younger receivers hope have... With Homosexual parents have no problem talking up Ballard these days and discussed... Recruiting class and making his way to Columbus our merch, or contributing in ways... 200 pounds now and he has that body frame do, everything for Ohio really... An account through one of the links on our site, we receive! Time to go put it on the OSU roster being ranked behind Egbuka and four-star wide receiver Marvin Jr. And becoming a second-round draft pick any other WR on the OSU roster hes set to early! To Columbus contributing in other ways be a great problem for OSU to have the ability five in... Box with his big body down there, Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility Thursday Ohio... Registered trademark of cbs Broadcasting Inc. Community Rules apply to all content you or. Relationship between Ballard and Ohio State is the best WR in College football, and number... Says hes set to enroll early in Columbus Bowl this week 's passing game have!
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