Now that star ratings for the class of 2026 have basically been finalized, the class of 2027 should start to get updated soon and recalibrated. Sometimes these ratings can cause previously higher-rated players to plummet, but it also opens the door for previously undiscovered talent to rise.
Florida is hoping for the latter with a tight end they have in their sights who is currently unranked, but we can’t imagine it’s going to stay like that as the offseason progresses.
Florida locks in official visit with Jackson Ballinger
Jackson Ballinger is a tight end out of Ohio. Listed at 6’5” and 230 pounds, Ballinger is currently unranked by all three services.
But on film, this feels like it will get corrected once things start to update. Oftentimes, when we review film of high school prospects who are going to play tight end in college, they either line up as a hybrid wide receiver with the intention of figuring out the blocking later, or they act as a 6th offensive lineman.
Ballinger, however, is one of the few tight end prospects we have reviewed who genuinely plays tight end in high school as one would on Saturdays, and he excels no matter where he is placed.
When Ballinger lines up along the offensive line, he blocks better than some true offensive linemen we have reviewed. Ballinger has no qualms with driving someone on the ground or just launching them in the air as needed.
But when he goes out to catch a pass, he has a massive catch radius and is an absolute matchup nightmare to figure out. He also gets used in a variety of of way and isn’t just a one-trick pony.
As much as we love his film, we could see his star ceiling being stunted once the offseason camp circuit starts because his speed doesn’t exactly jump out on film, and half of star rankings are based on things like speed. But make no mistake, Ballinger is a solid player who fits what a college tight end is supposed to be.
Ballinger was at Florida’s Junior Day, and both On3 and 247 confirmed he will come back for an official visit.