Jake Ballard

Jacob Owen Ballard (born December 2, 1987) is a former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Ohio State and was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and won Super Bowl XLVI with them against the Patriots. 2Early years and college career Ballard grew up in Springboro, Ohio. He went to Springboro High School and started on both sides of the ball in football and started on the basketball team. He attended The Ohio State University, where he caught 34 passes for 377 yards with an average of 11 yards per catch. He also caught three touchdown passes. During his senior year, he was one of Ohio State's six captains.During the 2010 Rose Bowl, he made a critical catch that helped Ohio State beat Oregon. In the 4th quarter with nine minutes remaining Ohio State up 19-17 facing 3rd and 13 from their own 45, Ballard, while being surrounded by several Oregon defenders, jumped and caught a high pass thrown by Terrelle Pryor for 24 yards and a critical first down. The drive concluded with the game-clinching touchdown that put Ohio State up 26-17, which would be the final score. 2Professional career 3New York Giants Ballard was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft on April 25, 201