Small-school CB draws Los Angeles Chargers attention at Senior Bowl

Day 2 of the Senior Bowl is here, but unfortunately, media personnel is not allowed in the event due to bad weather conditions today in Mobile, AL. This means that no interviews will be held by media as practices conclude, which will not allow me to see what NFL teams are talking to certain prospects.

Even though I am unable to do so, I was able to get an idea who the Chargers are showing early interest in yesterday. One player that caught my attention was Washburn cornerback Corey Ballentine.

Ballentine entered the event as one of the lesser known prospects. But he is out to prove that he can matchup with some of the most prolific wide receivers in the country.

The 5-foot-11 and 188 pound cornerback was the 2018 Cliff Harris Award winner, which is given to the best to the top defensive player in the country. Along with the accomplishment, Ballentine was one the top kick returners, and track sprinters in school history.

The speed was evident early on in Mobile, as he posted the second-fastest in Day 1’s practice for the North team, checking in at a blazing 21.6 miles per hour.

On the field, Ballentine impressed me by displaying a great first day of practice. The small-school product showed physicality at the line of scrimmage, the speed to stay close with wide receivers downfield and the ability to break on the ball when in position for a pass break up.

For a team that needs depth at the position, it’s no surprise that Ballentine is on their radar early on in this event. Ballentine would serve as a backup role early on, would be a valuable special teamer and could work his way up into a starting role if everything falls into place.

Currently, he projects as a sixth-round selection, so the Bolts could be in for a steal if they decide to go that direction in the 2019 NFL draft.