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TE Jake Ballard (Super Bowl Champion)

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MililaniBuckeye said:
Haven't seen any articles or posts saying such...
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Dayton Daily article:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/preps/daily/0604ballard.html

Springboro's Ballard picks OSU

By Ron Jackson

Dayton Daily News

SPRINGBORO | Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel apologized to Jake Ballard for the Buckeye's holding pattern in their recruiting of him.

Then, he offered the coveted double-duty end from Springboro High School a scholarship last Sunday. The rising senior made a verbal commitment to the Buckeyes Thursday night. Ballard, a first-team All-Ohioan as a junior, chose his boyhood dream team, Ohio State over rival Michigan.

"Coach Tressel said it's time-consuming recruiting nationally, coast to coast, and said he appreciated my patience with them," Ballard said. "There was not a whole a lot of thinking that went into it after he offered. Ultimately, it's their rich tradition, facilities and playing in front of 105,000 people that were the deciding factors. Every Ohio schoolboy wants to play at the Horseshoe. They've been my dream team since seventh grade."

The 6-foot-7, 265-pound Ballard said Michigan offered first and actually showed more interest in him than Ohio State. The Wolverines recruited him as a defensive end while Ohio State projects him as a tight end.

Ballard's versatility is his calling card that attracted over 20 scholarship offers and has impressed scouts at the recent combines (Nike combine at Ann Arbor and the U.S. Army All-American Football Classic held in Akron). He was being recruited as a defensive end or tackle, and tight end or tackle on offense.

"Coach Tressel's policy lets his players choose where they want to play," Ballard said. "If that's not working out, he'll put me where I'll help the team the most. I like tight end and I like catching balls."

Said Springboro head coach Rodney Roberts: "Coach Tressel likes Jake's flexibility, body control and the way he moves. He can play four positions at the next level. More importantly, Jake is a difference-maker in the classroom (3.5 GPA) and the community. There is a lot to like about Jake Ballard."

Ballard earned D-II All-Ohio and All-Southwest District as a defensive end. He anchored the Panthers' playoff run and 11-2 record.

"Now I can relax a little and help my (twin) brother find a school," said Ballard, referring to his talented brother Josh, a linebacker.

Contact Ron Jackson at (513) 696-4543
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Clevebucks,
Nice post! It's great to see that kind of patience in our recruits. It says something about Jakes character! Jake is going to be tearing up opponents on the gridiron. I'm glad he chose the bucks.
Moose
 
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C & P from the Dispatch:

Springboro tight end commits to OSU for ’06
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


The offer from Ohio State was hanging like a fastball over the plate, and Jake Ballard wanted to make solid contact. So he committed yesterday to be part of the Buckeyes’ 2006 football recruiting class.

"I did not want to let the opportunity pass," said Ballard, a 6-foot-7, 255-pound tight end from Springboro. "I had been thinking about it for a while and I just decided to announce I’m going to Ohio State."

Though he also plays defensive end, Ballard said he’ll be a full-time tight end at Ohio State. The Buckeyes probably will welcome that, because even though he had only 16 catches last year, he turned them into 308 yards.

A giant with speed. That’s why Michigan, Wisconsin, Louisville and Clemson were after him, too.

He wasn’t concerned by the spate of off-field problems and negative publicity the Buckeyes dealt with last month.

"Every major school has its problems," Ballard said. "I believe in coach (Jim) Tressel and the program he’s running. That’s why I want to play there."

[email protected]
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Picture of Jake from BN's camp photos.

232378.jpg
 
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Rivals has posted videos of Ballard

http://ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=429486


Just my take:

there are about 30 clips, half at TE the other half at DE.

I definately think he can play TE at OSU. In his clips he catchs the ball well, and uses his hands to catch instead of letting the ball get into his body. He also uses his body well when running his routes.

He is a pretty good blocker at TE, although most of the DE's were smaller. There is one clip where he pulls from the TE spot and clears out the hole for the rb. very nice.

If his speed is a concern, he shows some pretty decent closing speed in his DE clips, especially one where he single handedly stops an option play from behind.
 
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Just seen him play at Northmont's 7 on 7's and he tore it up at TE. Northmont tried to stick Coleman on him at times but Ballard just went over top of him. He seems to be a legitimate TE threat.
 
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RB07OSU said:
Just seen him play at Northmont's 7 on 7's and he tore it up at TE. Northmont tried to stick Coleman on him at times but Ballard just went over top of him. He seems to be a legitimate TE threat.
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How did Kurt look in your opinion? Obviously, Jake has a huge height advantage on him (about 8 in.) but how did he do against the other receivers?
 
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Coleman looked great really. He put a blanket on Ballard but he has a huge height advantage and outjumped him for the ball. Coleman apparently also covered the Cleveland Heights receivers well also who were pretty talented.My assessment was that both will be good players for OSU and 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.
 
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