Jake Ballard

Enters his second year in the Ohio State program and will only continue to improve ... is listed as the back-up tight end to Rory Nicol and joins him on the field in two-tight end sets ... OSU coaches like his size and strength ... is a big target as a receiver and also has the ability to be a dominating edge blocker.

2006 (Freshman): Played in 10 games as the No. 2 tight end behind Rory Nicol ... had two catches for five yards ... caught a 1-yard touchdown in the 44-3 win vs. Indiana, when both he and Nicol started ... caught one of three touchdown passes to tight ends against the Hoosiers ... other catch, for 4 yards, came at Northwestern.

High School: Ranked the No. 8 tight end prospect in the nation ... in eight games as a senior, caught 22 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns ... was named Ohio's 2005 Division II Defensive Player of the Year after recording 35 solo tackles, 42 assists, 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three quarterback sacks ... 2004 and 2005 first-team all-league, district player of the year and All-Ohio ... 2005 Reebok Preseason All-American ... team captain as a senior ... four-year letterman in football and basketball.