Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class just added its third member.
Jayden Ballard, a wide receiver from Massillon Washington High School just committed to the Buckeyes. He made the announcement via Twitter.
100% committed to The Ohio State University ?? #GoBucks?? pic.twitter.com/tForgFZNzN
— JB (@J_Ball21) June 21, 2019
He is ranked as the 22nd-best wide receiver in the nation and the No. 125 player overall.
Ballard is listed as 6-foot-2 and 164 lbs and chose the Buckeyes over offers from schools like Penn State, Pitt, Washington State, and Boston College.
He has just wrapped up his sophomore season of high school, but Ballard has already had an OSU offer for over a year. He earned that scholarship offer at the Buckeyes’ summer camp last June.
He then backed that up by catching 36 passes for a team-high 851 yards as a sophomore, including 12 touchdowns.
It’s not easy to be an impact player that early at a program as storied and successful as Massillon. The Tigers went to the state championship game last fall, and Ballard was a significant reason why.
His biggest games came against Austintown-Fitch (5 catches, 157 yards, 3 scores), Louisville (2-152-2), and Whitehall-Yearling (2-125-2).
Ballard likely profiles as a Z receiver for the Buckeyes. That’s the deep-threat position played by Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson.
But watching his highlight reel (below), it’s not hard to see a little bit of another Massillon Washington product: Devin Smith.
Ballard does a lot of running past defensive backs, and shows a good ability to go up and high-point the ball as well.
He also throws a touchdown pass on a trick play about a minute into the reel.
It’s worth remembering that this is against top-division Ohio competition, which makes it even more impressive.
Ballard joins defensive end Jack Sawyer and quarterback Kyle McCord as the first three members of the Buckeyes’ 2021 class.
You can watch his full highlight reel below.
His first step off the LOS is instantly noticeable. That makes him lethal in zone coverage and almost just as dangerous in press man. His ability to accelerate to top end almost instantly makes him a top prospect.
Welcome home young man.
wow this kid is incredible. with the QB already in and hopefully Korey Kiner …wow