The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/130469
prep profiles Michigan Extends Colorado Athlete First National Offer By the time Michigan came calling in ing staffs like. Ballage stands 6-2, 216 late January, Falcon (Colo.) High athlete pounds, and even at that size has been Kalen Ballage had already picked up timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard offers from the two in-state schools, dash. He has the ability to play running Colorado and Colorado State. However, back, linebacker and even safety at the the Wolverines became the first from college level. The U-M coaching staff outside the Cenhasn't specified Kalen Ballage tennial State to which position get in the mix, and ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ they like him for — that caught the at- Falcon High School they just want to tention of the tal- Falcon, Colo. get him in the fold. ented youngster. "They didn't tell Class: 2014 " M y f o o t b a l l Position: Athlete me which position coach called me Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 216 they want me for and told me [Mich- Ranking: Rivals.com's No. 25 athlete at all," Ballage said. igan offensive line] nationally " They just said Coach [Darrell] that I have a full Funk wanted me to give him a call, be- ride. I think they're going to leave it cause they can't contact me," Ballage up to me to pick what side of the ball explained. "Coach Funk said, 'I've got I want to play on, or maybe wherever Coach [Brady] Hoke right here on the they need me, but at this point I don't line, and he wants to talk to you.' He know exactly." passed the phone to Coach Hoke, and Ballage started at practically every he pretty much just dropped the news. position on the field except offensive "I've always had aspirations to play line for Falcon at times during his junior college football, and my dreams are year. Michigan's needs would seem to finally coming true. That's big, but I try indicate that a hypothetical U-M career to stay humble. I was excited on the would include running the football as a inside, but I tried not to show it too tailback or tracking it down as a strongmuch." side linebacker. Following the Michigan offer — and Although Ballage hasn't taken many a very impressive performance at the college visits yet, U-M is one that's Rivals Camp Series presented by Under definitely on the wish list. The nation's Armour event in Phoenix March 8 — No. 25 athlete is just a three-star recruit Ballage saw his stock blow up. Arizona for the time being, but should see his State, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Oregon star continue to rise, and he'd like to State and Utah were just a few of the visit the staff that was among the first 10-plus schools that came in after U‑M. to see his potential. It's easy to see what those coach— Tim Sullivan