Kalen Ballage Bio
Kalen Ballage is an American professional football running back 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. He has also played for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Early Life and Background
Kalen Ballage was born on December 22, 1995, in Peyton, Colorado. He attended Falcon High School in Falcon, Colorado, where he had a successful high school football career. During his three years on varsity, he rushed for 2,690 yards, averaging 8.5 yards per carry, and scored 35 rushing touchdowns, in addition to 671 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. His impressive performance caught the attention of major college programs, and he committed to Arizona State University on January 17, 2013.
Path to American Football
Ballage’s college career at Arizona State began in 2014, where he had a combined 202 rushing and receiving yards, along with four total touchdowns as a freshman. His sophomore year saw him achieve his first 100-yard rushing performance against the Oregon Ducks. In his junior year, Ballage tied the College Football’s FBS single-game touchdown record by scoring eight touchdowns against Texas Tech on September 10, 2016. Known for his combination of speed and power, Ballage played a significant role in the team’s offense, even taking snaps at quarterback during certain plays.
Kalen Ballage Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Kalen Ballage was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, with the 131st overall pick. He made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, where he recorded a three-yard rush. In Week 15 of his rookie season, he had an expanded role, finishing the season with 191 rushing yards and one touchdown. In 2019, he entered the season as the No. 2 running back but was placed on injured reserve due to a leg injury, concluding the season with 135 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Breakthrough (2020)
In 2020, Kalen Ballage signed with the New York Jets after being waived by the Dolphins. However, he was released shortly after. He then joined the Los Angeles Chargers, where he was elevated to the active roster and appeared in 11 games, starting two. He finished the season with 91 carries for 303 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, along with 29 receptions for 166 receiving yards.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ballage’s career has been marked by significant moments, including his record-tying performance in college and his transition to the NFL, where he has shown versatility and resilience despite facing injuries.
Kalen Ballage Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kalen Ballage has not received any major award nominations.
Kalen Ballage Awards Won
Kalen Ballage has not won any notable awards during his professional football career.
Kalen Ballage Family
There is limited public information available regarding Kalen Ballage’s family background.
Personal Life
Kalen Ballage has maintained a relatively private personal life, with no publicly available details regarding relationships or children.
