Overview
Quarterback: Running Back
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 228 pounds
School: Arizona State Sun Devils
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds (tied for third among running backs)
Bench Press: 15 reps
Vertical Jump: 33.5 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, 2 inches (tied for fifth among running backs)
Three-cone drill: 6.91 seconds (fourth among running backs)
20-yard shuttle: 4.35 seconds
Kalen Ballage 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Out of all the intriguing running backs in this year’s draft class, only one has the NCAA record for most touchdowns in a game: Kalen Ballage out of Arizona State. Ballage grew up 30 minutes outside of Colorado Springs in a town known as Peyton where he attended Falcon High School and was a three-year varsity starter. In 2014, he was ranked the sixth best running back prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and eventually committed to play for the Sun Devils.
Ballage saw immediate playing time as a freshman and was a dangerous kickoff returner averaging 31.6 yards per return. Ballage missed the first couple of games his sophomore season but still managed to finish with 653 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. As a junior, Ballage earned some national recognition as he finished the season with 14 rushing touchdowns which included the eight touchdown (seven rushing) performance against Texas Tech. Despite the big touchdown numbers, Ballage finished the year with only 536 rushing yards.
Many experts predicted Ballage to breakout for a 1,000-yard campaign during his senior year at Arizona State. But that was not the case as he lost his starting job halfway through the season finishing up with 669 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Despite never putting up gaudy numbers in college, Ballage has a lot of untapped potential which he displayed both the week of the Senior Bowl and at the NFL Combine. His performances in both events have him rising on draft boards.
Strengths
- powerful runner, breaks through arm tackles with ease;
- has great breakaway speed;
- capable pass catcher out of the backfield;
- versatile enough to line up in the slot and run routes;
- above average in pass protection;
- capable kick returner with experience;
- delivers the hit and tends to fall forward at the end of a run;
- great red zone threat.
Weaknesses
- tends to want to bounce everything outside;
- field vision is average at best, needs work;
- runs too upright at times;
- lacks elusiveness;
- needs to work on footwork and initial decision making;
- has not lived up to his potential;
- always split time at ASU, never earned role of being the primary back;
NFL Comparison: James Starks
Teams with Need at the Position: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Sixth round
Bottom Line
With such a deep running back draft class and the position being devalued, there is a good chance Ballage will not get drafted until the end of day three. But whichever team does draft Ballage will be salivating at his untapped potential and athletic ability. He has been having a solid off-season and will continue to impress whichever team he is drafted by in OTAs. With the right coaching, Ballage could turn into a very effective third-down back with the ability to start as a kickoff returner.
