| Buckeye Bits: Constantly improving tight end who enters his third year in the Ohio State ... has become increasingly significant within the offense ... often on the field along with Rory Nicol in two-tight end sets ... OSU coaches like his size and strength ... is a big target as a receiver ... has shown ability to be a dominating edge blocker.
2007 (Sophomore): Shared starter’s role at tight end with Rory Nicol ...13 catches for 149 yards for season with two scores ... also played on two special units ...14-yard touchdown catch from Todd Boeckman vs. Michigan State ... 15-yard touchdown catch at Penn State ... Jim Parker lineman of week: Akron, Washington ... second-year letterman
2006 (Freshman): Played in 10 games as the No. 2 tight end behind Rory Nicol ... had two catches for five yards ... caught a 1-yard touchdown in the 44-3 win vs. Indiana, when both he and Nicol started ... caught one of three touchdown passes to tight ends against the Hoosiers ... other catch, for 4 yards, came at Northwestern.
High School: Ranked the No. 8 tight end prospect in the nation ... in eight games as a senior, caught 22 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns ... was named Ohio’s 2005 Division II Defensive Player of the Year after recording 35 solo tackles, 42 assists, 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three quarterback sacks ... 2004 and 2005 first-team all-league, district player of the year and All-Ohio ... 2005 Reebok Preseason All-American ... team captain as a senior ... four-year letterman in football and basketball.
Personal: Son of Ben and Debby Ballard. | 
