Kalen Ballage

The physically imposing Ballage entered the 2017 season as a trendy NFL prospect following a breakout junior season in which he accounted for a career-high 1,005 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. Ballage was especially productive on the ground, rushing for 536 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns, second among all Pac-12 players and among national leaders in this category. Unfortunately, he and the Sun Devils failed to build upon this success in 2017. Though Ballage set a new career-high with 657 rushing yards on the season, his big plays as a runner and receiver plummeted, dropping from seven plays of 20+ yards in 2016 to just one - a 35-yard non-scoring run against Utah - as a senior. Ballage also saw his receiving totals drop significantly in 2017, slipping from 44 grabs for 469 yards (10.7 yard average) and a score as a junior to "just" 19 grabs for 81 yards (career-worst 4.3 yard average) and no touchdowns over the 2017 regular season. With his ripped physique and versatility as a runner and receiver, Ballage looks the part of an early NFL draft pick. Certainly anyone who watched him tie an FBS record with eight touchdowns in a single game against Texas Tech in 2016 knows that he can be a difference-maker. Break down Ballage's game a little closer and throw out this outlier against one of the traditionally leakiest defenses in college football, however, and it is easier to see Arizona State has not produced a top 100 draft pick among running backs in 17 years. BACKGROUND Listed by Rivals.com as the sixth-best athlete prospect in the country and a four-star recruit; Ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 27 athlete recruit in the nation; Rated by Scout.com as the No. 52 running back recruit in the nation; Tabbed by ESPN as the No. 52 athlete prospect in the nation after rushing for 2,690 career yards on 318 carries (8.5 avg.) with 35 touchdowns in three varsity seasons at Falcon High. Also caught 40 passes for 671 yards (16.8 avg.) with 12 touchdowns and totaled 3,981 career all-purpose yards. Chose ASU over multiple offers from Pac-12 programs as well as ones from Boise State, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Wyoming. ...

in our view

Aside from the "Ballage barrage" against Texas Tech as a junior, the 6-2, 227 pound Sun Devil was not nearly as productive as his career totals suggest. He possesses the build and burst to put up flashy numbers as both a runner and receiver if an NFL offense commits to feeding him but too often he failed to create yardage on his own.

strengths

Physically imposing athlete with a tight-skin, well-built frame and good overall musculature. A legitimate NFL-caliber athlete who possesses impressive zero-to-60 acceleration to rip through the line of scrimmage and create chunk plays. Varies his gait and can surprise opponents with his willingness to change speeds. Generates good power behind his pads when he runs low to the ground, showing the toughness and leg drive to break tackles. Sharp cuts to avoid defenders in the open field. Experienced and productive receiver out of the backfield, who shows good hands to pluck outside of his frame. Occasionally split out wide and may be seen by some as a potential H-back or receiver convert. -- Rob Rang 12/26/2017

compares to

James Starks, Green Bay. The 6-2, 220 pound Starks showed plenty of flashes as both a runner and receiver during his time with the Packers but never was able to emerge as a headliner, starting just 13 games and scoring just 15 total touchdowns (nine rushing) over seven seasons.

weaknesses

Possesses a tall, high-cut frame including long legs which give defenders a relatively large strike zone to cut him down, especially when he runs laterally and allows his pad level to rise - each of which happen too often. Rarely simply attacks the hole, even when it is there. Dances too much at the line of scrimmage before picking a crease, raising questions about his vision and "natural" running ability... Is not the punishing downhill runner his imposing frame suggests, failing to lower his shoulder to consistently break through head-on collisions. Does not possess ideal balance, too often going down to initial contact. Just average awareness and competitiveness in pass protection. - Rob Rang 12/26/2017

Rushed for 2,690 career yards on 318 carries (8.5 avg.) with 35 touchdowns in three varsity seasons

Caught 40 passes for 671 yards (16.8 avg.) with 12 touchdowns and totaled 3,981 career all-purpose yards

Carried 206 times for 1,943 yards (9.4 avg.) with 25 touchdowns as a senior in 2013 and added 16 receptions for 360 yards (22.5 avg.) with six scores for 2,628 all-purpose yards in his final season

Listed by Rivals.com as the sixth-best athlete prospect in the country and a four-star recruit; Ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 27 athlete recruit in the nation;

Rated by Scout.com as the No. 52 running back recruit in the nation; Tabbed by ESPN as the No. 52 athlete prospect in the nation

Chose ASU over multiple offers from Pac-12 programs as well as ones from Boise State, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Wyoming

Coached by Brian Green and Terry Poirier at Falcon High.

2017

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
4.3	6.0	669.0	157.0	35.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
20.0	4.6	0.0	10.0	91.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	0.0	1.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
51.0	437.0	21.0	0.0	20.8

2016

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
4.0	7.5	0.75	30.0	0.0	1.0	3.0

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
4.3	14.0	536.0	126.0	75.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
44.0	10.7	1.0	71.0	469.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	2.0	3.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
36.0	409.0	18.0	0.0	22.7

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
-6.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	-6.0

2015

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.2	4.0	653.0	125.0	65.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
12.0	5.0	0.0	16.0	60.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
27.0	26.0	3.0	0.0	8.7