Weathering The Storm

One of the top prospects in the entire nation is Christian Ballard, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound, defensive end/tight end, from Free State high in Lawrence, Kan. Ballard gave Kansas his verbal commitment before his recruitment even got off the ground back in March. The May evaluation period has come and gone and Ballard tells Scout.com that he has weathered the storm.

Christian Ballard is a terrific athlete, after watching Ballard on film, I see a guy with excellent quickness and power. Christian wants to play tight end at the next level and he could very well end up at that position but I see a defensive lineman that has the versatility to move up and down the line-of-scrimmage creating mismatches with the opponent.

Ballard is quick enough to play defensive end and he’s also big enough and strong enough to play defensive tackle. How good is Ballard? Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Georgia, Iowa and UCLA all offered a scholarship knowing that Ballard was committed to the Jayhawks.

During the May evaluation period, college coaches are allowed to visit the high schools and they are allowed one phone call to a prospect. We asked Ballard if any of these major powers in college football got him re-thinking his verbal commitment.

“That’s a good question,” Ballard told Scout.com.

“I’m committed to Kansas and the best thing about living in Lawrence is that I can go over to the football offices at Kansas at anytime. Anytime I have a question or just want to get away from the pressure, I can go over to talk to the Kansas coaches.

“Of course I thought about my commitment in May. How could I not? I’ve got Lloyd Carr calling me. I’ve got Bob Stoops calling me. All these big-time coaches calling me talking to me about the plans they had for me and that they want me to help them win a national championship. That stuff would get anyone thinking.”

As a sophomore, Ballard was athletic enough that he started at wide receiver and linebacker for Free State. He grew into a tight end and defensive end as a junior.

“Christian is a weapon on the field.” Free State coach Bob Lischer said.

“Christian is so athletic that I can create mismatches with him by playing him at wide receiver and on defense, he has the speed to play outside linebacker and the strength to play on the defensive line.”

“Christian starts on the basketball team, sprints on the track team and his mother played volleyball at Temple. He comes from good stock.”

Ballard told us that he’s been spending a lot of time on campus at Kansas, participating in 7-on-7 drills. Christian doesn’t have any plans to attend camps this summer and doesn’t plan on taking any unofficial visits.

“I’m committed to Kansas and I don’t want to stir up a hornets nest.” Ballard said.

“I’m thinking about taking some official visits either during the season or after the season but nothing has been set in stone yet. I want to make sure Kansas is the place for me. You only go through this process once and want to be 100% sure.

“It’s tough right now, especially with coaches sending text messages about early playing time and what they do with their tight end and stuff like that. Asking me how committed I am. I’m staying focused though. I really want to go to KU but on the other hand, I have to make sure it’s the right place for me. I need to be 100% sure.”

Ballard had 13 catches as a junior and averaged 14 yards per reception. On defense, Christian had 37 solo tackles and six sacks.