He played college football at Mississippi State, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts 170th overall in the 2012 NFL draft.
[3] During the NFL Scouting Combine, Ballard tripped during the 40 yard dash and ran into the timer.
Ballard, under pressure from several defensive players, leapt and corkscrewed in mid air as he crossed the goal line.
[7] On September 13, 2013, head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed Ballard was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL, and as a result missed all but one game in the 2013 season.
An MRI revealed that Ballard tore his Achilles tendon, which caused him to miss the full 2014 season.