At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Ballard has the kind of frame Utah has crafted into NFL caliber talent in the secondary. Utah may be losing junior safety Marcus Williams to the NFL this season, and needs another play to step up at the position.
Ballard could be an answer. Playing for the Buccaneers this season, he totaled 41 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 pass break-ups and a forced fumble. A Humble, Texas, native, he played high school ball at Summer Creek near Houston.
In signing, Ballard became the first player to sign with the Utes in the 2017 class.