Ballard back in action
Four star tight end and Ohio State commitment Jake Ballard out of Springboro, Ohio, returned to action this past weekend. Ballard had missed a couple of games due to a hamstring injury.
"I played Friday night," Ballard said. "We beat Franklin 42-7. I played tight end and defensive end. But I only played in the first half. They wanted to ease me back in."
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The win over Franklin capped an undefeated, 10-0 regular season for Springboro. Now it's on to the state playoffs.
Ballard will be back to full-time action in a playoff run that he hopes will end in a state championship. Then it will be on to basketball season at Springboro and preperation for his career on the grid-iron at Ohio State.
"(Ohio State assistant) Coach Peterson calls me every Thursday," Ballard said. "My official visit will be either in December or after their bowl game."
Ballard could be an important figure next season at Ohio State with the graduation of tight end Ryan Hamby.
"They think I can come in right away and get some playing time," Ballard said. "They say just keep working hard. A good goal is to play as a freshman."
Ballard is making himself very familiar with Ohio State's current team.
"I've been to every home game," Ballard said. "I'll be up there this week.
"I watched their game against Minnesota (on T.V.). It was pretty good."
The 6-foot-6 and 250-pound Ballard is the No. 7 tight end prospect in the Rivals.com player rankings and the No. 10 prospect in the state of Ohio.