TE Jake Ballard (official thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Ballard is such a huge kid, he could possibly be on the offensive line before his career is done at tOSU. I personally like him at TE.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by bucknuts44820

Ballard is such a huge kid, he could possibly be on the offensive line before his career is done at tOSU. I personally like him at TE.

I agree. I like him at TE very much. I've actually heard some questions raised about his aggressiveness on either line, but also heard that he is one of the most athletically gifted TE's that people have seen.

[HilmerJ]

so kinda like an eric winston?

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

They have a similar physical build in high school. I hope he stays at TE. With next year's depth at TE a concern, I think he will but I hope he doesn't get into a situation like R.J. Coleman and keep switching from TE to O line and never get playing time.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by bucknuts44820

They have a similar physical build in high school. I hope he stays at TE. With next year's depth at TE a concern, I think he will but I hope he doesn't get into a situation like R.J. Coleman and keep switching from TE to O line and never get playing time.

I've seen him play twice and he is definetly a TE at this point and a dominant one. He can block very well but he is too good of an athlete to put on the line. He runs well and can go up and catch the ball well. If Nicol still has injury problems I could see Ballard making an immediate impact.

[wdg01]

I hope he becomes a huge TE for us. Maybe he can eventually play like Tyree did during the scUM game.

[schwab]

Is there any chance he could be moved to defense at some point? Just saw that he was DII defensive player of the year for the second year in a row, all while missing some games. I know there is some good football played in DII and to achieve that honor is pretty impressive. Since he is already being mentioned at more than one position, I was just curious for anyone who watched him play if it was a possibility. TE/DE has been a position that tOSU has recruited almost interchangeably with some guys recently, and it just seems Ballard must have a nose for the ball when the other guys have it.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by schwab

Is there any chance he could be moved to defense at some point? Just saw that he was DII defensive player of the year for the second year in a row, all while missing some games. I know there is some good football played in DII and to achieve that honor is pretty impressive. Since he is already being mentioned at more than one position, I was just curious for anyone who watched him play if it was a possibility. TE/DE has been a position that tOSU has recruited almost interchangeably with some guys recently, and it just seems Ballard must have a nose for the ball when the other guys have it.

Ballard is a very good DE. I think he is better at defense actually I failed to mention that. However it appears we are getting more than enough talent at DE this year combined with last so my guess is he will play TE.

[bucknut11]

Ballard is the Ohio DII Defensive Player of the Year!

link

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Congrats to Ballard. Lets hope he stays at TE while he is at Ohio State.

[akronbuck]

with him being d player of the year

osu might be getting there new d-liner that will play as a freshman

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by akronbuck

with him being d player of the year

osu might be getting there new d-liner that will play as a freshman

Could happen, but if he is anywhere but at TE next fall, I'll be shocked. As athletic as he is and as thin as we are at TE, I just don't see him being anywhere else. To start out with at least...

[stowfan]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

Ballard is the Ohio DII Defensive Player of the Year!

link

FYI Doug Datish won the same honor in 2002.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Looks like Ballard will be playing basketball this year......

SPRINGBORO (D-I)

Coach: Troy Holtrey

2004-05 record: 16-0, 22-2

Key returners: Sr. F Jake Ballard; sr. F Ryan Kerns; sr. G Nick Poore; sr. G-F Josh Mygatt.

Summary: Ballard (9.3 ppg, 8 rpg) and Kerns lead a short list of experienced returners after Springboro graduated three first-team MML players, including Player of the Year Sean Miller, a 6-4 guard who averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Springboro was perfect in the MML but lost to Trotwood-Madison in the sectional finals. Getting that far again depends on how quickly such juniors as Andy Ungerman, Jeremy Morris, Aaron Stonecash and Austin Perkins grow into their roles.

Who: Jake Ballard, Springboro

Personal: 6-6, sr. F

Stats: 9.3 points, 8 rebounds

Scouting line: Ballard, who this week was named All Ohio D-II defensive player of the year for his football exploits, brings size and experience to a Panther team hit hard by graduations.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by bucknuts44820

Looks like Ballard will be playing basketball this year......

Ballard is a really tough basketball player. I saw him play a couple of times last year. He really shows how athletic he is. If anyone wants to see that type of athleticism, I suggest they go watch some of his games. I guarantee you'll be impressed.