"I think Ballage could potentially make a bigger impact as a TE/FB or even WR, than as a runner out of the backfield."
USA Today Sports
Strengths:
Good looking, size/speed athlete with quick feet. Impressive pass receiver and experienced running routes. Good blocker. Finishes runs in open space and can break tackles with a head of steam. Homerun hitter. Dangerous returner. One of the best RBs during senior week practices and game.
Weaknesses:
Lacks vision, ideal body lean and balance. One speed runner that goes down often on first contact. Never reached potential despite top tier physical gifts. Lost starting position senior year.
Overall:
Ballage squarely checks the enigma box. At the start of the season I was crushing on him and figured he'd be a top 5 RB easily....but his lack of vision and physicality eventually made him the change of pace guy to likely UDFA teammate Demario Richard.
He's a big, fast, quick, athletic freak that can catch and block in the passing game. But he was relegated to a 3rd down back at ASU because his less gifted, smaller running mate demonstrated superior vision, power and balance as a runner. I think Ballage could potentially make a bigger impact as a TE/FB or even WR, than as a runner out of the backfield. As a runner, I think he's another Matt Jones.