CENTERBURG — Whether he’s in the classroom or on the football field, Jackson Ballinger is all in.
Centerburg’s junior tight end is a priority target of virtually every major college program in America. He has offers from 21 FBS schools, including six suitors from the Big Ten and five from the SEC.
The 17-year-old Ballinger stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds. But those figures only paint a partial picture of arguably the most highly sought-after recruit in Centerburg history. The number Ballinger is most proud of is his 3.97 grade point average.
“I’ve always been real focused on school,” said Ballinger, who already has completed his high school curriculum and will take only college courses during his junior and seniors years.
“When I was in middle school I started taking a few high school classes. I made it a goal to get A’s in every class.
“Once I saw the bigger picture and that I could knock out a year or two of college and get it done when I’m in high school … I might as well take advantage of it.”
The bigger picture for Ballinger includes Saturday afternoon football games for the foreseeable future. He picked up his first Division I offer from Miami of Ohio in the spring of his freshman year. Kentucky and Indiana threw their hats in the ring a month later.
“I never thought that this would get this big,” said Ballinger, who will take game-day visits to Florida and Ohio State in the coming months. “It’s a surreal experience.”
Despite all of the attention, Ballinger has remained remarkably grounded. He doesn’t have an overinflated ego typical among blue-chip prospects.
“He’s a pretty humble kid,” Centerburg coach Andy Colella said. “It starts at home for sure. Both of his parents are educators. His mom (Carey) is our guidance counselor and his dad (Brett) is the principal at a neighboring school and coaches football for us.
“They’re highly-motivated people and he has those same traits.”
Juggling school, football and recruiting visits can be overwhelming. Ballinger makes sure to surround himself with people who have his best interests in mind.
“It’s a lot,” Ballinger said. “I make sure I have a set schedule. I set aside time for academics and athletics and family. I try to keep a close circle with people who want what’s best for me and understand what I’m going through. Just having that is very helpful.
“I can get all my stuff done and still be a teenager. When it’s all said and done I’m still just 17.”
The Trojans are 4-1 thanks in no small part to Ballinger. He has nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown and is a key piece of an offense that ranks first in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference in scoring (37.2) and total yards (414.2).
The Trojans knocked off reigning KMAC champ and 2024 state semifinalist Northmor 44-27 in Week 4. The Golden Knights beat Centerburg twice last year, including in the second round of the Region 23 playoffs.
“To play them in the playoffs … that taste has been in our kids’ mouths for quite a few months,” Colella said.
To reach last year’s regional quarterfinals, Centerburg had to go on the road in the opening round of the playoffs. The Trojans made the long trip to Reedsville Eastern and beat the Eagles 34-12.
“We hadn’t won a playoff game since 2014. I believe we were only the third or fourth team to win a playoff game,” Ballinger said. “I haven’t felt an atmosphere like that in high school before.”
It’s a feeling Ballinger could get used to.
“There’s only one (playoff) team that can finish the season with a win,” Ballinger said. “That is the ultimate goal for me.”
To move the program in the right direction, Ballinger has taken on a bigger role as a leader. That means being more vocal than in the past.
“I have a bigger spotlight, now more than ever. I like to say I lead by example but I speak up when it’s time to speak up,” Ballinger said. “Leading by example, that’s during the game and outside of the game.
“You’ve got to get your academics in order. You can’t be out late at night. People listen to even the smallest thing you say.”
Ballinger understands that everyone is paying attention.
“The other day one of my mom’s friends came up to her and said, ‘In a few years little kids will be running around Centerburg wearing Ballinger on the backs of their jerseys,’ ” he said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m clear-minded and have the right goals in mind. I need to keep my head focused on what is important.”
Centerburg couldn’t ask for a better ambassador.
“Once he figured out (college) football was a possibility, he developed a plan and stuck to it the last couple of years,” Colella said. “When he realized he could play at a high level it motivated him even more. He continues to put in the extra time and study.
“It’s impressive to watch him progress through all of this.”