Area Buckeyes await NFL call

Northmont’s Kurt Coleman, Springboro’s Jake Ballard sign autographs at mall.

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer 11:50 PM Thursday, February 4, 2010

BEAVERCREEK — When the National Football League comes calling in April — and early projections look good — hometown prospects Kurt Coleman and Jake Ballard will have plenty of practice signing their names to those contracts.

The pair of Ohio State Buckeyes (along with defensive end Thaddeus Gibson) appeared at Cardboard Heroes at the Mall at Fairfield Commons on Thursday, Feb. 4, inking their names on everything from helmets to jerseys to photos.

While they enjoyed meeting the public — about 75 fans were in line when the event started — that NFL contract is what they want placed in front of them the most.

Coleman, a strong safety from Northmont High School, said he’s being projected as a second- or third-rounder.

Ballard, a tight end from Springboro, said he’s hearing the fifth, sixth or seventh rounds, or possibly not at all.

“I’m hearing I could be the second safety or fifth safety taken off the board,” said Coleman, whose stock has risen after playing in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., in January.

“I think the scouts and coaches really liked what I can do. They feel like I can play safety and corner. I’m getting a lot of raves from like the Bears and the Browns. Hopefully I can stay in Ohio and play for one of the teams.”

Coleman said he met with more than 20 teams at the Senior Bowl and the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs showed the most interest. If he can post a fast enough time in the 40-yard dash, teams will also consider Coleman for cornerback.

Ballard, meanwhile, said teams looking for a blocking tight end are showing the most interest.

“(My agent is) saying the teams looking for blocking tight ends are the Jets, Vikings, Bengals, teams like that,” Ballard said. “I have a weird feeling I might be playing football in Ohio next year. We’ll see. I’ll play for anybody who gives me a chance.”

Ballard thinks he can be more than just a blocking tight end at the NFL level. He knows he needs to show off those receiving and route-running skills at his pro day workout.

“It just depends on my pro day and how fast I can be,” Ballard said. “They don’t know how fast I am or what routes I run because at Ohio State we ran the ball a lot. That’s OK because we won a lot of games. ... I think I’m a good blocking tight end. At the same time I think I can be a great receiving tight end and be one of those guys who can do both.”

Contact this reporter at

(937) 225-2400, ext 6991, or

gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I do not think I read anything about their GPA. Their football stats do not mean squat if they do not get that phone call and then do something with it.
They will be just another kid whose dreams could come true if they are able to put their education to work instead of impressing a few scouts.

Joe H
7:08 AM, 2/18/2010

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A good group of football players who set a winning record at TOhioStateUniversity .... It was the most winning class of players in Ohio State's Rich Football History with the 2010 Rose Bowl Win .. Go Bucks !

Clint
2:09 PM, 2/5/2010

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Lets not forget Austin Spitler from Bellbrook? He may not have gotten a ton of playing time this year...but he is a beast...and will impress come Pro Day at OSU!! He is a real sleeper!!

mdog
1:02 PM, 2/5/2010

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