With the 180th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Washburn cornerback Corey Ballentine. Here are five things to know about the new Giant:
1. Ballentine played in 46 games at Washburn (Kan.), recording 186 tackles (113 solo), 10 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and five interceptions.
2. He was the 2018 Cliff Harris Award winner as the small college defensive player of the year, and was the first Ichabod and one of only three NCAA Division II players to be selected for the 2019 Senior Bowl. He was also selected second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.
3. NFL.com scouting report: 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.
4. Measurables: Height – 5-11; Weight – 196 lbs.; Arms – 31 5/8"; Hands – 9 ½"; 40-yard dash – 4.47 sec.; Bench press – 15 reps; Vertical jump – 39.5"; Broad jump – 135"; 3-cone drill – 6.82 sec.; 20-yard shuttle – 4.14 sec.
5. A six-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll between football and track and field, Ballentine finished his career second all-time in blocked kicks with four, and his 24.81 yards per kickoff return ranked fifth all-time on the Ichabod charts. His 1,166 career kickoff return yards ranked seventh in school history. He owns the school record in the indoor 60m (6.91), indoor 200m (22.18), recording the nine fastest times in the 60m in school history and the six fastest times in the indoor 200m. He also holds school records in the outdoor 100m (10.51), outdoor 200m (21.25) and has eight of the fastest 10 times in the 100m and the top six times in the outdoor 200m in school history.
