Kalen Ballage Bio
Kalen Ballage (born December 22, 1995) is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, Ballage has also played for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers, and he has competed in the XFL and UFL.
Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 222 pounds, Ballage has built a reputation as a versatile back known for combining speed and power. His professional journey has included stops across the NFL and the spring football leagues, where he has continued to contribute as a runner and pass catcher.
Early Life and Background
Kalen Ballage was born on December 22, 1995, in Peyton, Colorado, USA. He grew up in Falcon, Colorado, a community located in the high plains east of Colorado Springs. His early years were shaped by athletics, with football becoming a central part of his development from a young age.
Ballage attended Falcon High School in Falcon, Colorado, where he put together an impressive varsity career. In three years on the varsity squad, he rushed for 2,690 yards, averaging 8.5 yards per carry, and scored 35 rushing touchdowns. He also added 671 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, showcasing a versatile skill set that attracted attention from college recruiters.
Following his standout high school production, Ballage drew recruiting interest from several major college football programs, including Michigan, Washington, and Nebraska. On January 17, 2013, he committed to Arizona State, setting the stage for his next chapter in the Pac-12 Conference.
Path to American Football
Ballage’s path to professional football began in earnest when he arrived at Arizona State, where he joined the Sun Devils program. As a freshman in 2014, he contributed a combined 202 rushing and receiving yards along with four total touchdowns, easing into the college game and learning the Sun Devils’ offensive system.
During his sophomore year, Ballage posted his first 100-yard rushing performance, a milestone he reached against the Oregon Ducks. The game marked an important step in his development, demonstrating his ability to handle a heavy workload against a top-tier Pac-12 opponent.
As a junior, Ballage delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances in recent college football history. On September 10, 2016, he tied the FBS single-game touchdown record by scoring eight touchdowns against Texas Tech. He also played a quarterback role in Arizona State’s version of the wildcat offense, known to Sun Devils fans as the Sparky Package. He finished his college career with 1,984 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns, 82 receptions, 684 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.
Kalen Ballage Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Kalen Ballage began his NFL career after being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round with the 131st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, a pick originally acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade that sent Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia. He made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, recording a three-yard rush in a 38-7 loss. Later in his rookie year, he saw an expanded role in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings, finishing that game with 12 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. He closed his rookie season with 191 rushing yards and one touchdown.
In 2019, Ballage entered the season as the No. 2 running back behind Kenyan Drake. He played in 12 games with six starts and finished the year with 135 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 14 receptions, and 63 receiving yards. His season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2019, with a leg injury, bringing his Dolphins tenure to a close.
NFL Journeyman Years (2020-2021)
Ballage’s NFL career took a turbulent turn in 2020. On August 27, 2020, the Miami Dolphins attempted to trade him to the New York Jets for a 2021 conditional seventh-round draft pick, but the deal was voided three days later after he failed a physical with the Jets. He was then waived by Miami with an injury settlement on September 5, 2020. Shortly afterward, on September 15, 2020, he was signed by the New York Jets, but his time there lasted only a few weeks, as he was waived on October 5.
On October 9, 2020, Ballage joined the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers, and by mid-November he had been promoted to the active roster. In the 2020 season with the Chargers, he appeared in 11 games, including two starts, finishing with 91 carries for 303 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 29 receptions, and 166 receiving yards. He then signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 30, 2021, appearing in all 17 games that season primarily as a special teams contributor.
Dallas Renegades Era (2025-Present)
On January 17, 2025, Ballage signed with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League. During the Renegades’ Week 1 game against the San Antonio Brahmas, he ran for a 77-yard touchdown, which became the longest in UFL history. He was later placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury on May 7, 2025. Note: The Renegades franchise is now referred to as the Dallas Renegades.
On January 13, 2026, Ballage was selected by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL Draft, opening the next chapter of his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ballage is recognized for a rare combination of speed and power, allowing him to excel as both a between-the-tackles runner and an outside threat. At Arizona State, he proved he could handle a versatile offensive role, including lining up at quarterback in the Sparky Package. His pass-catching ability, demonstrated by 82 receptions in college and steady receiving production in the NFL, has also been a defining part of his profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Ballage’s career, his eight-touchdown performance against Texas Tech in 2016 stands out as a defining achievement and an FBS record-tying feat. In the professional ranks, his 77-yard touchdown in Week 1 of the 2025 UFL season set a new UFL record for the longest rush, adding a memorable milestone to his spring football chapter.
Kalen Ballage Career Wins
Across the NFL and the spring football leagues, Kalen Ballage has produced a steady stream of highlight-reel plays rather than championship titles. His career has been defined by a memorable college record-tying performance, a record-setting UFL touchdown run, and consistent contributions as a rotational back and special teams player in the NFL.
NFL Highlights
Ballage’s most notable NFL regular-season moments include his 123-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and a productive 2020 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he posted 303 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 29 receptions. He also played a key depth role during the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, appearing in all 17 games.
Other Wins and Performances
In the UFL, Ballage delivered the longest rush in league history with a 77-yard touchdown in the Dallas Renegades’ Week 1 game against the San Antonio Brahmas in 2025. Earlier, he was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the sixth round of the 2023 XFL Draft and was later removed from the roster in February 2024. Across his career, his verified NFL rushing totals include 665 yards on a 3.1 average with seven rushing touchdowns, along with 54 receptions for 293 receiving yards.
Kalen Ballage Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Kalen Ballage’s parents and extended family remains limited, and detailed records of a broader family athletic lineage have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Kalen Ballage grew up in Peyton and Falcon, Colorado, where he attended Falcon High School. Public details about a spouse, partner, or children are not part of his widely reported profile.
2025 Season Performance
Kalen Ballage’s 2025 campaign began on a high note with the Arlington Renegades, now referred to as the Dallas Renegades. In the Week 1 matchup against the San Antonio Brahmas, he authored one of the most memorable moments of the UFL season, rumbling for a 77-yard touchdown that set a new UFL record for the longest rush in league history. The performance immediately established him as a key offensive weapon for the Renegades.
His season was interrupted on May 7, 2025, when he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, cutting short his first UFL campaign with the Renegades. Despite the setback, the 77-yard run and his early-season production highlighted his continued value as a versatile running back capable of breaking off explosive plays in the spring football league.
Looking ahead, Ballage was selected by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL Draft on January 13, 2026, signaling the next step in his ongoing professional journey.
