2004: Started all 13 games at safety...Tallied 68 total tackles (35 solo/33 assisted)...Notched seven tackles for loss (-14)...Picked off one pass and recovered one fumble...Tallied three pass deflections...Recorded a career-high 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss (-4) at Saginaw Valley State (10/16)...Notched eight tackles and recovered a fumble at Gannon (9/4)...Picked off a pass and made four tackles vs. Michigan Tech (11/6) at Michigan Stadium...Recorded six tackles at Winona State (11/13) in NCAA Playoffs.

2003: Did not play.

2002: Played in 14 games in his first year with the Lakers...Ranked seventh on the team in total tackles with 51 (36 solo, 16 assisted)...Tied for team lead in interceptions (3) and fumble recoveries (3)...Led team in fumble return yards (64)...Returned fumble 60 yards for a TD and intercepted a pass vs. UC Davis (9/7)...Returned an interception 19 yards for a TD at Michigan Tech (10/5)...Tallied a season-high six tackles vs. C.W. Post (11/23) in playoffs.

2001: Played in three games for Central Michigan as a redshirt freshman...Recorded nine total tackles (8 solo, 1 assisted)...Returned a blocked punt 17 yards for a TD vs. Michigan State.

2000: Redshirted at CMU.

High School: Prepped at Chesaning High School...Earned three letters in football and two each in baseball and track...All-conference three times and all-state as a senior...Member of the Saginaw News Dream Team...Team won state championship in 1998...Played with former Laker Ryan Brady in high school...Set school record with an 85 yard punt return...Ranked 49th on the Detroit Free Press Fab 50.

Personal: Son of Tom and Cathy Ballard of Chesaning, Mich....Hobbies include all sports.