Bio

Vick Ballard turned a record-smashing pair of seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College into an AllSEC and NFL career. In 2008, the freshman from Pascagoula ran for 555 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning MACJC All-South Division Second Team Honors while the Bulldogs won the South Division, state championship and the inaugural Mississippi Bowl. In his sophomore season, he led the Bulldogs to another South title and earned MACJC All-South Division First Team honors. In addition to being named an NJCAA First-Team All-American, he was the MACJC Most Valuable Running Back. He set school records for rushing yards in a season (1,728), rushing touchdowns in a season (22), rushing touchdowns in a game (22), points in a season (132), points in a game (30) and career touchdowns (34). Ballard graduated to Mississippi State where he lettered in 2010-2011. As a junior, he ran for 968 yards and 19 touchdowns, which remains a school record. His 20 total touchdowns are also best in school history. He was a second-team AP All-SEC selection as a senior, when he ran for 1,189 yards, still sixth in school history, and scored 11 times. Ballard was MVP of the 2011 Music City Bowl, and his 2,157 career rushing yards ranks fourth in MSU history. Ballard played in the 2012 Senior Bowl and was picked in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Colts. He was the second-leading rookie rusher in the league with 814 yards and helped Indianapolis reach the playoffs. Injuries cut his career short after three seasons, and he got into the real estate business. Ballard also went back to school for his mechanical engineering degree and now is working for the NFLPA helping transition football players with resources and support for off-the-field success.