TE Jake Ballard (Super Bowl Champion)

[OregonBuckeye]

I agree this is possible, in spite of the fact that they announced the other day that the "1st day" will start at 3pm and comprise rounds 1 and 2 only.

I meant in the traditional sense.

But I think the 2nd round may be in the realm of possibility even without big time receiving stats. We all know he can block but his hands and body control are top notch too.

 

[CleveBucks]

Reminds me of Ben Utecht. Future All American.

 

[Taosman]

Very impressive kid! What a "find" at TE! :tongue2:

 

[jwinslow]

[FONT=arial,helvetica] Tight end Jake Ballard #86 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a touchdown pass during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium October 27, 2007 in University Park, Pennsylvania. Ohio State won 37-17. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica] Ohio State's Jake Ballard (86), celebrates catching a third quarter touchdown with teammates during a college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007. Leaping high is Ohio State's Alex Boone (75). (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)[/FONT]

 

[OmahaBeef]

I noticed Ballard being lined up as a wide-out a few times against Wisconsin. Were we doing this to exploit something in Wisconsin, or settings up a tendency to exploit against Michigan (or some other reason)? My initial instinct is that we're setting up a tendency to exploit, but did anyone notice a glaring reason to like up Ballard line we did? When I first saw it, I immediately thought we were going to have some trickeration occur. (Very similar to the feeling I had when I saw Ginn going out and lining up at a TE last year against Michigan.)

 

[jwinslow]

They did the same with Nicol, and have done so in many games this year. Among other things, he can provide superior blocking for the horizontal passing game.

 

[OmahaBeef]

They did the same with Nicol, and have done so in many games this year. Among other things, he can provide superior blocking for the horizontal passing game.

Gotcha. I guess I'm not observant enough.

 

[Taosman]

Quickly becoming the best TE we have seen since Inez Sainz! :tongue2:

 

[RB07OSU]

Ballard looks VERY impressive at TE and if he keeps his speed that is where he will play. Coleman has good technique and very good speed and hands and can play WR or DB. I think he will play DB and probably safety with his hitting ability.

Called 'em both baby...move Miller to tackle and I'm 3 for 3 Anyways, Jake is just a rare case of such size and athleticism. He is going to end up being a very, very good one and a pro imo.

 

[Tlangs]

I am pretty Ballard was lined up outside on one of Beanie's touchdown runs. I am going off foggy memmory though.

 

[BB73]

TE Coach John Peterson talks about Jake's increased strength, and his combination of abilities, including being able to control the edge on solo blocks.

ozone

OSU Tight Ends Still Hoping for Bigger Role in Buckeye Offense
By John Porentas

The Buckeyes return a trio of veterans at tight end. Jake Ballard, Rory Nicol and Brandon Smith are all back. Nicol is the most experienced of the group, but Peterson is excited about the upside he sees in Ballard, and not just as a receiver. What he sees in Ballard is a very rare blend of size, speed, strength and athleticism.

"Jake has the tools to be a dominant blocker physically," said Peterson.
"He definitely has the hands and has developed into a very efficient route-runner. That's a hard combination to get all three of those together," said Peterson.

"He has a timing with his power. When it comes to blocking he has that ability to solo block and control the edge."

Cont'd ...

 

[BB73]

Bucknuts.com (Free)

Ballard Turning Heads At TE For OSU

According to Ohio State tight ends coach John Peterson, junior Jake Ballard could be on the verge of a big season. The Buckeyes don't use the tight end very much in the passing game, but Ballard could see more opportunities this year. He is also known as a very good blocker and OSU will again use a lot of two tight end formations along with senior Rory Nicol. We caught up with Peterson and Ballard for much more.

Cont'd ...

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Bucknuts.com$

Bucknuts TV: Jake Ballard In Action............highlights from the 2007 season.

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Offense frustrating for Ballard

By Rusty Miller
Associated Press

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
What's brewing today with the Ohio State Buckeyes:
Buckeyes buzz
Several Ohio State players have shown frustration with the lack of production by the offense. But no one had gone as far as tight end Jake Ballard, a Springboro High graduate.
Ballard expressed concern with numerous changes on the line, with quarterback Terrelle Pryor's decision-making, with Todd Boeckman's diminished role and even with the Buckeyes' inability to run the ball at will with Chris "Beanie" Wells at tailback. For the first time, it was possible to see how upset the team is over its inability to score touchdowns.
"We can't keep playing like that if we want to win the Big Ten," Ballard said of the team's 16-3 victory over Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 11, during which the offense provided only three field goals. "We definitely need to step our game up."
Cont...

 

[Redhawk]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/ncaa/10/14/pryor.boeckman.ap/index.html

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has no doubt Terrelle Pryor is the best quarterback to lead the Buckeyes. Not all his players agree.
Tight end Jake Ballard said it could help the Buckeyes' struggling offense to turn back to former starter Todd Boeckman and have him share the job with Pryor. The freshman has shown flashes of skill, but is still a work in progress.
"The senior leadership that Todd brings to the table and just how he commands the huddle would definitely help us out," Ballard said. "And he could make some big throws for us. ... I don't think a two-quarterback system would be a bad idea."