Post-OSU Update: Jayden Ballard transferred to Wisconsin in December 2024 as a graduate transfer. He’ll play for Luke Fickell, former Ohio State defensive tackle and coach. (updated: Jan. 2025)

Jersey #: 9 (2022-24), 10 (2021)
Major: Human Development and Family Services (2024)
Weight: 195 (2024), 198 (2023), 196 (2022), 192 (2021)

2024 Media Guide: Jayden is one of the fastest players on the team … enters the 2024 season with nine career receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown … has played a total of 353 snaps the past two seasons, including 155 offensive snaps with 198 special teams snaps.

2023 Media Guide: Jayden is a talented receiver ready to contribute in big ways for the Buckeyes in this, his third season with the program … enters the 2023 season with nine career receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown.

2022: Played in all 13 games as a true sophomore in 2022, including 102 offensive snaps and another 131 on special teams … caught eight passes for 155 yards in 2022, including a long reception of 72 yards for a touchdown from Kyle McCord in the win over Toledo.

2022 Media Guide: Jayden is in his second year with the program and has four seasons of eligibility … he is an OSU Scholar-Athlete.

2021: Played in three games as a true freshman and made one reception, a four-yarder from Kyle McCord against Akron.

2021 Media Guide: Jayden is a true freshman who is exploring majors … enrolled in classes in Jan. 2021 and went through spring drills … a top-100 prospect who was rated as the nation’s No. 8 receiver and the
No. 3 overall player in the state of Ohio … invited to play in the Army All-American Bowl.

High School: Helped his team with 10 straight games during the 2020 season and advance to the Division II state championship game … a member of the Ohio MaxPreps All-State team … caught 25 touchdown passes over his final two years for head coach Nate Moore at Massillon Washington … hauled in seven passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a regional final win over Perry … finished his senior year with 36 catches for 573 yards and seven touchdowns … as a junior, caught 68 passes for 1,202 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 80.1 yards per game … had career totals of 141 receptions, 2,636 yards and 37 touchdowns … became Massillon’s all-time leader in career receiving yards and touchdown receptions in 2020 … led the Tigers to three consecutive Division II state title games.

Personal: Is the son of Christina March and Jamaal Ballard.