Steelers select CB:
COREY BALLENTINE
WASHBURN
CB
DB04
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
Washburn
HOMETOWN
CLASS
Topeka, KS
r-Senior
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
ARMS
5' 11"
196 lbs
31 5/8”
HANDS
9 1/2”
Prospect Grade
5.51
CHANCE TO BECOME NFL STARTER
HOW WE GRADE
40 Yard Dash
4.47
SECONDS
Bench Press
15
REPS
Vertical Jump
39.5
INCHES
Broad Jump
135.0
INCHES
3 Cone Drill
6.82
SECONDS
20 Yd Shuttle
4.14
SECONDS
60 Yd Shuttle
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SECONDS
SEE MORE RESULTS
PLAYLIST
A two-sport star at Shawnee Heights High School in Topeka, Kansas, Ballentine flew under the radar a bit because he played football for just two seasons. However, he helped the track team's relay teams pick up a second-place finish at state as a junior (4x400) and a state title (4x100) his senior year. That athleticism has showed up during his career with the Icabods. He played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman (17 tackles) and then earned six starts in 12 games and honorable mention All-MIAA honors in 2016 (65 tackles, with a team-high 10 on special teams and 6.5 for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups). MIAA coaches named him first-team all-conference in 2017, as the 12-game starter posted 54 tackles and seven pass breakups on the year. He also ranked fifth in Division II by averaging 30.6 yards per kick return (23-703). Ballentine had less success returning kicks in 2018 (24-463-19.8), but he was a terror on special teams with three blocked kicks and was still a first-team all-conference defender (50 tackles, three for loss, three INT, four PBU, two forced fumbles). He ran track for Washburn as well, and had a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash at the 2016 Kansas Relays.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Overview
Explosive, NFL-caliber athlete with outstanding speed and plus short-area quickness to match routes and drive on throws. Ballentine's long speed, play strength and twitch will be coveted by teams looking for man-cover talent. While he could find early reps as a plus special teams performer, his trip to the Senior Bowl should give teams an early indication of how quickly he can acclimate to a step up in competition in coverage.
Strengths
- High character with same work ethic in the classroom that he has on the field
- Arms dangle down like ivy vines from his frame
- Uses length and play strength as disruptive tools from press
- Successful college sprinter with short area burst and recovery speed deep
- Able to wait as long as possible to open and run when challenged by vertical push
- Quick-twitch in feet for sharp lateral change of direction
- Possesses ability to comfortably mirror routes from backpedal in off-man
- Adequate feel for route development behind him in zone coverage
- Uses length and explosive leaping to challenge throws at the high point
- Plays with physical demeanor in attacking perimeter blockers
- Wrap-up striker who looks to drive deep into runner's legs rather than arm tackling
- Special teams ace with ability to return kicks, cover kicks, and block kicks
Weaknesses
- Still has room for growth with awareness and instincts. Will void his area responsibility to chase a route that he shouldn't
- Appears more comfortable from off-ball than press
- Could struggle early on to match and stay connected to NFL press release
- Lack of competition could require additional team patience as he acclimates