8 receiver in the country out of Massillon Washington High School, catching 25 touchdown passes over his final two high school seasons. 1 receiver in college.. Has to get stronger and keep working through the route tree, but a very talented athlete who can be a No. Unfortunately for Ballard, despite his clear talent, it will be incredibly tough for him to ever become a No. 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. and will push me hard.. Ohios fifth-ranked 2021 prospect and the nations 22nd-ranked receiver, Ballard is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound two-sport star at Massillon Washington High School. 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. Ballard is Ohio States third commitment in the Class of 2021 and the first receiver committed in that class. Teens with two mothers less likely to drink alcohol Same-Sex parents are most likely to have adoption as their first choice Homosexual parents do not alter the child's And now that hes the receivers coach, its gotten even stronger, Ballard said. Support cleveland.com. Its not personal, the ambivalence he felt about meeting with the media this past Thursday after Ohio State footballs second spring practice. You likely won't see Ballard on the field much this upcoming season outside of a few potential garbage time snaps, but his time will come if he is as good as his scouting report says. 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. Hes had a nice offseason. Ballard begins to feel and look less like a freshman, both to himself and the players and coaches around him. Go Bucks! 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? It sounds like improved route-running could be the final piece for this talented speedster, which is something Olave mentioned during his time at the NFL scouting combine, and Ballard himself alluded to after a recent practice. Tracks the ball well in the air and wins in contested situations. To him, the legacy he. Ballard opened the box with his parents at home. Well, the roster still says hes 6-2, 195 pounds, but he concurs with Olaves assessment of his physical progress. 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 from Cleveland. 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. 2021 wide receiver Jayden Ballard has committed to Ohio State. 4 receiver, No. OSU was the first school to offer Ballard, and he has been 100% committed ever since. Once he develops his route running, he's going to be one of the best in the country.. If supporting an indie site is your thing, please considerbecoming a 12th Warrior,buying our merch, or contributing in other ways. Massillon relied heavily on the run game and a strong defensive effort, recording three interceptions and scoring all four TDs on the ground. (Kyle) can really shoot. Not taking anything away from his teammates ability to do the same thing, but Ballards potential to take the top off the defense could earn him a unique role in this years offense. Even though he may not be as highly touted in this class as fellow 2021 wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Ballard is no slouch by any means. 1 receiver in college. Once we get up there and get to play, the truth will come out. "He's really athletic, really raw. 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 . In his one start against Akron, McCord did very well. I aint gonna lie, me and Jack were playing at the Buckeye Bash, and he was cooking me the whole time, Henderson said. 4 in-state recruit in the class, Ballard's. I think if Marvin wouldve kept playing basketball he wouldve been really good. He is 6'2" - 175 lbs. As a junior he turned 68 receptions into 1,202 yards and 18 touchdowns, a big-play receiver that has a 95-yard score to his name and also a dynamic return man as well. *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). 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? So me and Jayden are definitely up there.. I can't wait to see him take off. pic.twitter.com/h71pxjQzG0. College Football Survivor Show. 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. 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. Bonding with all the Ohio State commits going into the game and really having fun before I go to Ohio State.. While he still faces plenty of competition on Ohio State's receiver. Like Olave before him, he knows a special teams impact can quickly turn into something bigger. Jayden Ballard Mick Walker It's still a little hard to comprehend just how good Brian Hartline has been during his time at Ohio State. Coming off a terrific spring and is among the next wave of talented receivers coming through Ohio State While his intentions were clear from the jump, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound pass-catcher still got interest from Maryland, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Washington State. Invited to play in the Army All-American Bowl Week 11: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Nov. 19, College Park, MD. The wide receiver room within the Ohio State football program is overflowing with talent. We really like the way Jayden Ballards come on, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. As an independent site, we're committed to delivering Buckeye fans the news and analysis they deserve, all while remaining free. Ballard left no room for anyone to question his affinity for the hometown team, and he committed to the Buckeyes all the way back in June of 2019 before finally signing his official letter of intent this past December. 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. 2 prospect in Ohio and No. We all know he has the speed and he can run probably the fastest on the team right now, but the route-running ability hes improved on since last year.. The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class. Five-star DL from Florida has Ohio State easily top two in his recruitment. Which is fine, because a lot of other people have no problem talking up Ballard these days. Massillon (Ohio) Washington Top247 receiver Jayden Ballard was awarded his jersey to play in the All-American Bowl this week. (Birm/Lettermen Row) Ballard got there as quickly as he gets to a top speed on a deep route. Played in three games as a true freshman and made one reception, a four-yarder from Kyle McCord against Akron, Honors & Awards Ballard and Massillon Washington pull away to defeat Benedictine, 28-10, Friday evening at home. And speaking of Hartline, thats a relationship that continues to stand on firm ground throughout the years, and Ballard is ready to get coached up by one of the nations top assistants. In his final season at Washington, he helped his team win 10-straight games to advance to the Division II state championship game. COLUMBUS, Ohio Jayden Ballard would just as soon not talk for himself, thanks. Coach Hartline is a very good recruiter and he knows what type of players he needs. Already a great deep ball threat, if he can continue to work on his short-yardage skills and add a few pounds, he will undeniably earn his fair share of playing time in Columbus. Just a few days before he signed his national letter of intent, Ballard took a few minutes to talk with us about the upcoming signing. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 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. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onOhio State Buckeyes and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. I mean, come on, everyone growing up wants to be the baller dunking and hitting threes and whatnot, Sawyer said. And as for Sawyer leaving Harrison off his list? As the No. Minutes on the field will have to be earned, but four-star freshman Jayden Ballard will be up for the task. 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. 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.). So theres always a lot of talk going on about that., Point guard: Jordan Hancock or Evan Pryor. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. 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? What Melton, Stover tell us about footballs defense, The defenses new position could help new stars emerge: Lesmerises. We have another Ohio State newcomer lose his black stripe on Tuesday to become an "official" Buckeye. 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. 1 receiver at a place as loaded at the position group like Ohio State is. Harrison Jr. showed out in the Rose Bowl, and physically, is unlike any other WR on the OSU roster. Offensive news from spring camp opener: Podcast, Was Georgias defense enhanced by combine? Ballard went through his recruitment quietly, and he went through spring camp quietly. 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. 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. Now, as a senior, Ballard is trying to leave as much of an imprint on Massillon's basketball program as possible in the nine games he will play before leaving for Columbus. Yet he also does not want to be labeled as merely a deep threat. Overall Rank: #190 Position Rank: #15 (WR) 40 time: seconds. 2023 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Spring goals include rounding out his short and intermediate game. Currently more of a deep ball threat than one who will make a ton of plays after the catch. Find your friends on Facebook. Ballard was the No. He's been working hard, and now he has been welcomed into the brotherhood as a member . A lot of people around the program keep saying Ballard might not be far off from making an impact. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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