13 Facts About Christian Ballard

Christian Ballard was born on January 3,1989 and is an American former professional football defensive tackle.

Christian Ballard was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

At Lawrence Free State High School Ballard competed in football, basketball as well as track.

In football, Christian Ballard was a 2006 Preseason Prep Star All-American, he earned first-team All-State and All-Conference awards as a senior after being honorable mention all-conference as a junior and sophomore.

Christian Ballard received scholarship offers from schools such as Oklahoma, Florida State, Georgia, UCLA, Kansas and Kansas State.

At the University of Iowa Christian Ballard made an immediate impact by playing as a true freshman and collecting 15 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and 2.5 quarterback sacks from the defensive end position.

Christian Ballard returned two kickoffs for 32 yards on special teams that season.

Christian Ballard teamed with fellow Hawkeye Adrian Clayborn to become one of the most feared defensive lines in the nation.

Christian Ballard received the Coaches Appreciation Award and earned an invite to the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl.

At the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine Christian Ballard, who had received a first round grade from NFL draft pundit Mel Kiper Jr.

Christian Ballard was rated eleventh among defensive end prospects for the 2011 NFL draft.

Christian Ballard had been a part of the Vikings defensive line rotation since being drafted in 2011.

Christian Ballard recorded his first NFL sack on December 12,2012, on Sam Bradford in a game against the St Louis Rams.