Ballard went through his recruitment quietly, and he went through spring camp quietly. Ballard only played in one game . As for what Ballard brings to the table, he says that he has great ball skills, I can track the ball and get it at the highest point, and those are just some of the traits that had Brian Hartline dying to make him a Buckeye during the recruiting process. It is a great problem for OSU to have, but a challenge for the individual players. As the No. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. But as Buckeye fans, we should just be excited about his development and potential, along with the rest of the wide receivers. The Buckeyes soon learn if a 2024 five-star defensive line target will be joining the program, and a quick update on tight end recruiting. That receiver is Jayden Ballard. Im just trying to compete, Ballard said. Unfortunately for Ballard, despite his clear talent, it will be incredibly tough for him to ever become a No. To him, the legacy he. Its not personal, the ambivalence he felt about meeting with the media this past Thursday after Ohio State footballs second spring practice. Get the latest Ohio State Buckeyes merchandise: Heres where you can order Ohio State football gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and much more. School Preferences School Interest Offer Official Visit Ohio State Committed 6/21/2019 Ballard makes the two-hour trip south from Massillon to Columbus as the nation's No. 100% committed to The Ohio State University #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tForgFZNzN. Jayden committed to Ohio State in June of 2019 after also fielding offers from Penn State and Michigan State. School Washington High School. 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. So what has he done since December to draw such praise from a soon-to-be first-round NFL Draft pick? That presumption turned out to be accurate, but that doesnt mean this recruitment was always a sure thing for Ohio State. COLUMBUS The Buckeyes have landed a commitment from one of Ohios best athletes. Now that Ballard wears the same number that Smith once wore (#9), imagine if he could replicate Smiths downfield proficiency (21 YPC for his career). Coach Hartline is a very good recruiter and he knows what type of players he needs. Coming off a terrific spring and is among the next wave of talented receivers coming through Ohio State 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). Marvin Harrison Jr. committed shortly thereafter, and Emeka Egbuka did so much later in the process, making Ballard the third-highest WR recruit in his teams signing class. Ballard, who was not made available for comments afterward, finished with three catches for 39 yards. 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. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. During a recent spring practice, Day referenced Ballards big-play ability and also mentioned the wideout being a recipient of a most improved award from the strength staff. Thatll be pretty dangerous. He is an OSU Scholar-Athlete who is majoring in sport coaching, rec and physical education 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. Shows fluidity in his route running. Hauled in seven passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a regional final win over Perry 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. Tracks the ball well in the air and wins in contested situations. 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, The Columbus Dispatchs Bill Rabinowitz compared him to Devin Smith, Day referenced Ballards big-play ability. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Well, the roster still says hes 6-2, 195 pounds, but he concurs with Olaves assessment of his physical progress. I think the first night on campus well get a little pickup game going. That play ultimately led to the Tigers first touchdown. All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 18, 2023, Ohio State mens basketball vs. Nebraska: Game preview and prediction. It's not personal, the ambivalence he felt about meeting with the media this past Thursday after Ohio State. Redshirt freshman receiver Jayden Ballard was the first one to replace Smith-Njigba along with Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. Live updates: Live blog: In the second quarter it's Notre Dame 10, Ohio State 7. Thats huge for him, and hes somebody that could provide a huge, huge boost to our offense because he does have the ability. Youre Nuts: Who will replace C.J. Once we get up there and get to play, the truth will come out. Helped his team with 10 straight games during the 2020 season and advance to the Division II state championship game While the vast majority of Ballards athletic focus over the next two weeks is preparing for his descent on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, thats not stopping him from getting in some final minutes on the basketball court. 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. Ballard fielded multiple questions about comparisons to former Massillon and Buckeye receiver Devin Smith. As an independent site, we're committed to delivering Buckeye fans the news and analysis they deserve, all while remaining free. Ballard begins to feel and look less like a freshman, both to himself and the players and coaches around him. 2021 wide receiver Jayden Ballard has committed to Ohio State. Spring goals include rounding out his short and intermediate game. Hes 6-3, probably like 200 pounds now and he has that body frame. He was recognized in that area, just for his work every day, his accountability, and just his physical gains, Day said. The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class. 2021 wide receiver Jayden Ballard has committed to Ohio State. Ballard says hes set to enroll early in Columbus. Land-Grant Holy Land, an Ohio State Buckeyes community. (Our relationship is) really strong. It certainly wont be easy for Ballard to crack the lineup. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson have become household names, while younger receivers hope to have the same fate. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Like Olave before him, he knows a special teams impact can quickly turn into something bigger. 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. My dad always pushed me so Im used to (how Hartline will coach). His speed is off the charts. Position Wide Receiver. 44 prospect overall. We probably could have taken some more shots, but its always our plan to establish the run and then take what the defense gives in the passing game. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports. He is the best WR in college football, and I refuse to hear otherwise. 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? 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. In his one start against Akron, McCord did very well. Whats a successful B1G tourney run look like for OSU? He seems to be the forgotten wid receiver. 6-2, 170 | Class of 2021. So if you (we) havent done so already, it sounds like its time to raise your expectations for this redshirt freshman. Ballard arrived at OSU last spring as a top-100 prospect yet overshadowed by the nations top-ranked receiver Emeka Egbuka, and Marvin Harrison Jr.s Hall of Fame name. Has to get stronger and keep working through the route tree, but a very talented athlete who can be a No. More info: Massillon Washington High School - Massillon Tigers / WR, CB / Class of 2021 / Massillon, OH Good athlete who also excels on the basketball court. Ballard opened the box with his parents at home. Wide receiver Jayden Ballard became the 14th member of Ohio State's 2021 recruiting class to have his black striped removed, . Prep Tracker: Jayden Ballard's Trick Pass Play Buoys Late Comeback, Gabe Powers Leads Defensive Charge, Mike Hall Set to Return From Injury. That being the case, now is a great time to introduce you to Ohio States incredibly talented freshman class. 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. Ballard makes the two-hour trip south from Massillon to Columbus as the nations No. Support cleveland.com. 4 Mos for $1.00 $39.96 Jayden Ballard: 4-star 2021 wide receiver commits to Ohio State Jeremy Birmingham 06/21/19 COLUMBUS The Buckeyes have landed a commitment from one of Ohio's best athletes. With such talent and depth at the position, its safe to say that the odds were stacked against Ballard contributing as a true freshman, and unsurprisingly, he saw limited action in just four games last year. Thats not a valid source. Top Jayden Ballard News 2022-23 college football bowl schedule, dates, times CBS Sports David Cobb Dec 28, 2022 Jayden is in his second year with the program and has four seasons of eligibility And if Olave and Day are gassing a player up, we should probably pay close attention especially since Olave knows a thing or two about rocketing up the depth chart. You can get a small glimpse of everything Ballard brings to the table in his junior highlight film: As previously mentioned, Ballard gives Ohio State each of the top four in-state players in the 2021 cycle, with only Jack Sawyer, Mike Hall and Reid Carrico ranking ahead of him. 247Sports offers Ballard a professional comparison of Tampa Bay WR Chris Godwin, and describes him as a deep ball threat who can be a No. National Avg Rating: 93.7 ? Jayden played in high school. He is a 4-star recruit according. Jayden committed to Ohio State in June of 2019 after also . I mean, come on, everyone growing up wants to be the baller dunking and hitting threes and whatnot, Sawyer said. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. And while Harrison and Egbuka continue to receive most of the attention, Ballard is working to become a better player. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Ballard now enters the 2022 season still projected to play behind a number of other wide receivers, but this time around, his name is coming up as a player to keep our eyes on. 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. As a result, really talented players like Jayden Ballard may fall off some peoples radar. That is the position vacated by Olave, who is someone he admired and wants to emulate. Massillon led just 7-3 at halftime, but opened up the contest throughout the second half despite a relatively quiet evening (statistically, at least) from the future Buckeye wide receiver. 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. Harrison had already served notice of his arrival last spring and in preseason camp, then capped his freshman season with a huge Rose Bowl performance. Fresh cotton and other wares at Eleven Warriors Dry Goods. BuckeyesNow visited Ohio State 2021 commit and SI All-American candidate Jayden Ballard Friday night, as his Massillon Washington team pulled away for a 28-10 victory over Benedictine High School . 1 receiver at a place as loaded at the position group like Ohio State is. I stopped after my freshman year to focus on football. Stroud as Ohio States quarterback? College Football Survivor Show. Hes 6-3, probably 200 pounds now, so he's got that body frame, and he's a deep threat. While he continues to round into shape, Ballards underlying physical skills are drawing attention as well. We really like the way Jayden Ballards come on, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. he also led the Tigers to three-straight Division 2 state title games. *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). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Not only are there proven guys in front of him, but he will also have to compete for reps with talented freshmen such as Caleb Burton, Kyion Grayes, and Kojo Antwi. I can't wait to see him take off. So now its time to go put it on the field.. Ballard was the No. 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.). Welcome to an ongoing series here at Land-Grant Holy Land Freshman Focus. Ballard really came into his own in his final two prep seasons, posting 68 catches for over 1,200 yards and 18 TDs as a junior (averaging 80.1 yards per game) and following it up with 36 catches for 573 yards and seven TDs as as senior in a COVID-19-adjusted schedule. Jayden Ballard, Ohio State, Wide Receiver Jayden Ballard NCAA Pos WR Height 6-2 Weight 175 Evaluation Timeline Prospect Info High School Washington City Massillon, OH Exp 2021 - . He could be a great complement to JSN, Harrison Jr., and others. Ballard is one of quite a few of Ohio States 2021 signees who excel in basketball. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. 1 receiver in college.. A member of the Ohio MaxPreps All-State team, Ballard was a big part of the Tigers three-straight appearances in Division II state title games, including a 150-yard, three-touchdown performance against Perry in the regional finals. Jayden Ballard is my guy, Chris Olave said. Very natural pass catcher who can adjust to passes and make difficult grabs. 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. Which is fine, because a lot of other people have no problem talking up Ballard these days. 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 . The 6-foot-2 and 195-pound Ballard hails from Massillon (Ohio . Im looking forward to just having fun, Ballard said of the upcoming experience. Its a sport that he absolutely would have been a collegiate scholarship athlete in had he pursued it as a career instead of football. The wide receiver room within the Ohio State football program is overflowing with talent. The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class. Jayden Ballard is a gifted athlete, and it is just a matter of time before he makes a name for himself in the Ohio State football program. What Melton, Stover tell us about footballs defense, The defenses new position could help new stars emerge: Lesmerises. Week 8: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Oct. 29, State College, Pa. Week 9: Ohio State vs. Northwestern, Nov. 5, Evanston, Ill. Week 10: Ohio State vs Indiana, Nov. 12, Columbus, Ohio. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming will see their fair share of playing time, Ballard will likely compete more directly with guys like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, this season at least. Youre Nuts: Who will replace C.J. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. 1 running back TreVeyon Henderson, five-star quarterback Kyle McCord, five-star offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, Top247 cornerback Jakailin Johnson, Top247 defensive tackle Mike Hall, Top247 cornerback Jordan Hancock, Top247 linebacker Reid Carrico, Top247 running back Evan Pryor, Top247 receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and four-star defensive lineman Tyleik Williams. Come out and wants to emulate it is a great problem for OSU it be. Himself and the players and coaches around him the box with his parents at home a sure thing for State. Or register for an account through one of Ohios best athletes deserve, all while remaining free but concurs. To focus on football short and intermediate game and look less like a,! 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