Post-OSU Update: Jayden Ballard transferred to Wisconsin in December 2024 as a graduate transfer. He’ll play for Luke Fickell, former Ohio State defensive tackle and coach. (updated: Jan. 2025)

Weight: 192 (2021)

2021 Media Guide: Jayden is a true freshman who is exploring majors … enrolled in classes in Jan. 2021 and went through spring drills … a top-100 prospect who was rated as the nation’s No. 8 receiver and the
No. 3 overall player in the state of Ohio … invited to play in the Army All-American Bowl.

High School: Helped his team with 10 straight games during the 2020 season and advance to the Division II state championship game … a member of the Ohio MaxPreps All-State team … caught 25 touchdown passes over his final two years for head coach Nate Moore at Massillon Washington … hauled in seven passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a regional final win over Perry … finished his senior year with 36 catches for 573 yards and seven touchdowns … as a junior, caught 68 passes for 1,202 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 80.1 yards per game … had career totals of 141 receptions, 2,636 yards and 37 touchdowns … became Massillon’s all-time leader in career receiving yards and touchdown receptions in 2020 … led the Tigers to three consecutive Division II state title games.

Personal: Is the son of Christina March and Jamaal Ballard.