Kansas quarterback Cole Ballard remains hungry after an ‘outstanding offseason’
Kansas quarterback Cole Ballard was thrust into the spotlight last season after then-backup QB Jason Bean exited KU’s game against Texas Texas with a head injury.
Although the Jayhawks lost, Ballard left a lasting impression. He led the team back from a 13-0 deficit to tie the score late in the fourth quarter.
He completed 9 of 20 pass attempts for 124 yards and one interception.
“He’s real poised back there,” former Kansas linebacker Rich Miller said in November. “He don’t say too much. He’s always ready. He’s tough. He’s going to be a guy here, so be ready.”
Now, the former third-string (and one-time walk-on) quarterback is the likely backup for star QB Jalon Daniels. And he’s already earning rave remarks from coach Lance Leipold after about one week of spring football practice.
“I think he’s had an outstanding offseason,” Leipold said. “He’s working harder than ever; he’s hungry. Today, he had a couple of moments where he was aggressive. I don’t want to call him risky yet, but he’s aggressive. … He’s got that confidence and swagger about him that you love.”
For Ballard, there’s plenty to learn this spring. He’s not only moved up the pecking order in the QB room but is also getting used to a new offensive system that offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and co-OC Jim Zebrowski are implementing.
“We are figuring things out,” Ballard said. “It’s a new offense; it’s a new terminology. You’ve got to experiment with things to know if you can do it or not. And once you find out, I mean, you may make a mistake or two, but that’s the only way you learn. That’s the only way you grow.”
Ballard says he’s embraced being an “older” guy in the locker room. Daniels and Bean provided mentorship last season, so he’s tried to return the favor and do the same with freshman quarterback Isaiah Marshall.
That has helped Ballard build a close relationship with Marshall. Overall, Ballard describes KU’s QB room as a tight-knit group that bring out the best in each other.
“We have a very talented group, so it’s fun to see,” Ballard said. “Of course, like whenever JD is back, he’s the guy and we want to be there for him and he’s looked great. I mean, he’s JD. And then Isaiah came in — he’s picking things up and he’s a really explosive athlete. So (they’re) fun to watch. I think we’ve looked good.”
There’s also a healthy competition, Ballard continued, between the three, even while he reiterated that Daniels is “the guy.”
As for what Ballard is working on this spring?
“I’d say just getting more comfortable in the offense, building in that leadership role and just continuing to make the right decision all the time,” he said. “Not turning the ball over, things like that.”
