By Kyle Nagel, Dayton Daily News
Jake Ballard had just finished working out at the Ohio State football facilities on Monday night, April 26, when he talked about his professional opportunity.
“As soon as the draft was over, the calls started coming,” said Ballard, the former Springboro High School and Ohio State tight end. “There were five or six teams who wanted to sign me.”
After consulting with his agent, the undrafted Ballard decided on Monday to sign a free-agent contract with the New York Giants. He is scheduled to leave Thursday for a rookie minicamp in East Rutherford, N.J., where he hopes to begin his work on earning a roster spot.
Ballard said his draft stock suffered after he couldn’t run for scouts at Ohio State’s pro day because of a pulled hamstring.
“If I would’ve run the 40 (yard dash), I think it would’ve really helped,” Ballard said. “But that’s the business, and I felt a lot better once I started getting calls.”
Ballard said he received interest from the Bengals, Browns, Patriots, Redskins and Giants, but he chose the Giants because his agent mentioned coach Tom Coughlin and tight ends coach Mike Pope were both personally interested in Ballard, the 6-foot-7 senior who averaged 11.5 yards on 14 catches last season.
Ballard joins area natives Austin Spitler (Bellbrook) and Kurt Coleman (Northmont), who were drafted Saturday by the Dolphins and Eagles in the seventh round, in gaining a professional opportunity.
