'14 CO ATH Kalen Ballage (Offer)

[RuntheBall]

Loy reporting that Alford did go out to see Ballage play while he was in Colorado last week, but he (Loy) is hearing that ND likely won't offer him unless we have an extra spot close to signing day.

So he should have his offer in the next couple of days?

 

[GBdomer]

This kid reminds me of like an Oregon LB or Myles jack player. Speedy LB who can play side line to side line. He's a better prospect then Tranquil IMO at the fit at ILB. But I know he's set on playing RB so let's talk him into playing LB. But Alford is overrated so it won't happen.

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>2014 Falcon (CO) RB Kalen Ballage ran for 107 yards and 2 TD's on 23 carries in Falcon's 42-41 playoff loss to Dakota Ridge.</p>— Recruit Insider (@InsiderRecruit) <a href="https://twitter.com/InsiderRecruit/statuses/399656249219764224">November 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ballage also had 7 receptions for 141 yards and 3 TD's for Falcon in their playoff loss to Dakota Ridge. 4 star prospect as a RB and LB.</p>— Recruit Insider (@InsiderRecruit) <a href="https://twitter.com/InsiderRecruit/statuses/399656468019806208">November 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>2014 Falcon (CO) RB Kalen Ballage ran for 1,943 yards and 25 TD's and averaged 9.4 yards per carry this season. He also had 6 TD catches.</p>— Recruit Insider (@InsiderRecruit) <a href="https://twitter.com/InsiderRecruit/statuses/399721829482250240">November 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Couldn't even get to 2,000 yards - lame! Don't want.

 

[GBdomer]

This kid looks like an NFL free safety but he is hell bent on playing RB. I would love to offer him at ILB. He's honestly one of the best looking prospects in the country but IMO Alford went out there and watched him. It doesn't seem like he stood on BKs desk askin to offer this kid. If we do he could be a official vist late in the process and go from there.

 

[Luckylucci]

This kid looks like an NFL free safety but he is hell bent on playing RB. I would love to offer him at ILB. He's honestly one of the best looking prospects in the country but IMO Alford went out there and watched him. It doesn't seem like he stood on BKs desk askin to offer this kid. If we do he could be a official vist late in the process and go from there.

I think we need to offer for LB and see what happens. If he says no, no sweat. If he says yes, bring him on an official.

 

[Emcee77]

I think we need to offer for LB and see what happens. If he says no, no sweat. If he says yes, bring him on an official.

Yep, with the Scarbrough news, I say offer him. He could be our Myles Jack (the UCLA LB who moonlights as a stud RB).

 

[ResLife Hero]

Yep, with the Scarbrough news, I say offer him. He could be our Myles Jack (the UCLA LB who moonlights as a stud RB).

Not to mention Hill's comments about UT make it sound like we'll be down even one more on the big board. IMO we need to bring in a full class this cycle, and I don't think this guy would be a waste of a scholarship at all.

 

[Luckylucci]

Staff doesn't see a game changing RB here and thats all we're looking for this cycle. Also, Ballage doesn't see himself playing LB so not much of a match.

 

[FLDomer]

Staff doesn't see a game changing RB here and thats all we're looking for this cycle. Also, Ballage doesn't see himself playing LB so not much of a match.

Screw the staff, some guys on IE want him, than take him....this staff doesnt know shit compared to the "keyboard coaches"

 

[Emcee77]

Screw the staff, some guys on IE want him, than take him....this staff doesnt know shit compared to the "keyboard coaches"

lol.

No, I get it. With 5 RBs coming back next year, two of which are frosh, no reason to take one this year unless he's a game-changer. It just makes me nervous to take no one at such an important position.

 

[GBdomer]

Don't just offer kids to offer kids

 

[Luckylucci]

I just wish we could convince him to play LB. Its already been stated but I see NFL LB potential with this kid. Don't see that at RB.

 

[GBdomer]

I just wish we could convince him to play LB. Its already been stated but I see NFL LB potential with this kid. Don't see that at RB.

Agreed, he honestly looks like a NFL line backer. Plus he's 6'2 and I hope we convince him to play LB.Maybe Fister can tweet him and convince him seeing how he is our recording coordinator.

 

[Emcee77]

ahhh Myles Jack I'm telling you guys

 

[Emcee77]

Loy's not buying it ... says we are Scarbrough or bust at RB and he doesn't see Ballage getting an offer, at least not as a RB.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Ballage has a linebackers mentality he needs to see the light!

 

[Crazy Balki]

Regardless of his position of preference, we can't let an athlete of his caliber slip away. No question you take him. It's like letting McKenzie go without a fight.

 

[Emcee77]

Regardless of his position of preference, we can't let an athlete of his caliber slip away. No question you take him. It's like letting McKenzie go without a fight.

I agree with the sentiment, but this might mischaracterize the issue. I'm not sure it's a matter of either letting him slip away or taking him ... He doesn't want to come to ND unless it is as a running back, and we don't want him unless he is ok with playing LB. In order to get him, we would have to lie to him or change his mind, and if things remain status quo he would rather go elsewhere.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I agree with the sentiment, but this might mischaracterize the issue. I'm not sure it's a matter of either letting him slip away or taking him ... He doesn't want to come to ND unless it is as a running back, and we don't want him unless he is ok with playing LB. In order to get him, we would have to lie to him or change his mind, and if things remain status quo he would rather go elsewhere.

Either way, ND needs an athlete of his stature. Whether it'd be LB or RB. He possesses the size and power ND lacks at RB, and his athleticism could be very well used at LB. Win-Win if you ask me.

 

[Grahambo]

Ballage has a linebackers mentality he needs to see the light!

The Oracle has spoken.

 

[Corry]

Anthony Barr 2.0

 

[johnnycando]

Anthony Barr 2.0

Boom.

 

[Irish#1]

Screw the staff, some guys on IE want him, than take him....this staff doesnt know shit compared to the "keyboard coaches"

I sit by the phone everyday waiting for Kelly, Alford, Diacco or one of the other coaches to call me for my opinion, but it never rings. I guess I should give them my cell number because they are probably calling when I'm out.

We already have our stud RB for this class, GB.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Anthony Barr 2.0

This might be too soon....

 

[Domina Nostra]

Does he have an offer or not?

 

[Emcee77]

Anthony Barr 2.0

This might be too soon....

Haha I'm still not over it. Every time UCLA is on TV I mention it, to the point that my wife now rolls her eyes whenever she sees anything about UCLA.

Seriously though, he should be a cautionary tale to players like Ballage. Lots of schools will pretend to consider you at RB, but if you are a LB you are a LB.

Does he have an offer or not?

Not commitable, if at all.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Haha I'm still not over it. Every time UCLA is on TV I mention it, to the point that my wife now rolls her eyes whenever she sees anything about UCLA.

Seriously though, he should be a cautionary tale to players like Ballage. Lots of schools will pretend to consider you at RB, but if you are a LB you are a LB.



Not commitable, if at all.

Jaylon Smith and Anthony Barr as ND starting OLBs... I dream about it every time I watch UCLA.

 

[Luckylucci]

Regardless of his position of preference, we can't let an athlete of his caliber slip away. No question you take him. It's like letting McKenzie go without a fight.

So when he says I want to play RB in college and we don't believe that we should just lie to him to get him on the practice field in hopes that he realizes it. I don't agree with that. We do exactly what we've done and thats let him know where we stand and it sounds like we have. LB is his best fit for us. If a kid is set on playing a certain position and you don't believe he'll have long term success at that position there is no reason to recruit a kid that'll just be unhappy down the road. You, I and all of IE may look at Kalen as an athlete. He looks at himself as a RB. Its really that simple and until he decides thats not the case we most likely don't offer.

 

[Luckylucci]

Haha I'm still not over it. Every time UCLA is on TV I mention it, to the point that my wife now rolls her eyes whenever she sees anything about UCLA.

Seriously though, he should be a cautionary tale to players like Ballage. Lots of schools will pretend to consider you at RB, but if you are a LB you are a LB.



Not commitable, if at all.

Good point, we're doing it the right way and thats the way I'd prefer it to be done. Honest and upfront. A quality that Blake Barnett noted when talking to II about why he likes our staff so much. Gain Barnett and maybe lose Kalen, if thats the case I'll take it.

 

[ResLife Hero]

So when he says I want to play RB in college and we don't believe that we should just lie to him to get him on the practice field in hopes that he realizes it. I don't agree with that. We do exactly what we've done and thats let him know where we stand and it sounds like we have. LB is his best fit for us. If a kid is set on playing a certain position and you don't believe he'll have long term success at that position there is no reason to recruit a kid that'll just be unhappy down the road. You, I and all of IE may look at Kalen as an athlete. He looks at himself as a RB. Its really that simple and until he decides thats not the case we most likely don't offer.

Still seems like we could/should just be honest about it and offer him a scholarship at LB. He can choose to take it or leave it based on his preference for position, but as others have mentioned, a lot of prospects who want to play RB end up killing it at LB.