2018 NFL Draft Profile: Running back Kalen Ballage
Running back Kalen Ballage had many memorable moments over his ASU career, and he’s expected to be the first Sun Devil selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
It was a rollercoaster of a college career for Kalen Ballage at Arizona State as in four years he made national headlines in 2016 by tying the FBS record with eight touchdowns in one game against Texas Tech.
While Ballage tied records during his time at ASU, the running back never earned any all-conference mentions due to splitting carries with fellow NFL draft prospect Demario Richard. Ballage finished 2016 with 126 carries for 536 yards while again splitting carries with Richard in 2017 rushing for 669 yards on 157 attempts.
Despite the low overall numbers in his college career, Ballage enters as a diamond in the rough running back prospect who has the ability to excel at the next level.
The six-foot-two-inch prospect has the toolset that is perfect for the NFL with speed, hands, power, and the ability to be a valuable asset as a pass catcher.
Ballage proved himself as a playmaker on the field for the Sun Devils as a runner, pass catcher, and returner as he finished his junior season with over 1000 yards from scrimmage and his career with a total of 2668.
The skills on paper pop out with Ballage as he impressed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.
40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds
Bench Press: 15 reps
Vertical: 33.5 inches
Broad Jump: 122 inches
Three Cone Drill: 6.91 seconds
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.35 seconds
These numbers may pop out on paper, but a combination of lack of production with a lack of vision hurts Ballage’s draft stock.
“Ballage’s lack of vision is a major concern,” Matt Miller of Bleacher Report said in an article. “If a hole isn’t clearly there for the taking, he’ll struggle. Only had two 100-yard rushing games in the last two seasons and was at times shut down by average Pac-12 defenses.”
NFL teams will have to debate the importance of production versus the skills that Ballage possesses. He has the potential to be the steal of a draft with his skill set and no major injury issues during his time at Arizona State.
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Bleacher Report ranks him as a round five pick with a pro comparison of Jordan Howard of the Chicago Bears while NFL.com ranks him as a third to fourth round pick.