CARDS: Panini Contenders Draft Picks 2018, Panini Prestige 2018
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v St Louis Battlehawks

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Kalen Ballage was a RB at Arizona State who ran for 1984 yards and 27 TDs (450 carries) playing for the school from 2014-’17.
• A 4th round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2018.
• Had a breakout game his rookie year rushing for 123 yards on 12 carries against the Minnesota Vikings- scoring a TD.
• 2019 was disappointing, and by 2020, the Dolphins were searching for trade partners.
• Waived with an injury settlement, Ballage spent about a month on the roster of the New York Jets that year.
• Ultimately proved to be effective playing for the Chargers that year, contributing 91 carries for 303 yards and 3 TDs.
• Also showed a nice touch out of the backfield, catching 29 passes.
• Played for the Steelers in ’21 and spent the season on special teams.
• Selected in the 6th round of the 2023 XFL Draft by the San Antonio Brahmas.
• Was the primary back in the ground and pound offense, but was ultimately supplanted in the lineup by Jacques Patrick, and then an Achilles injury ended his season after 5 games.
• Finished season with 55 carries for 149 yards and 11 receptions for 82 yards.
• Expected to fight a crowded backfield for 1st team reps in 2024 with the Brahmas retooled offense, but with a crowded backfield was an early cut during preseason.

NOTES:

I was very excited to see the Brahmas drafted Kalen. He has a lot of cards and I hoped that I’d get more of them signed. Of subsets, I always look forward to the Gameday subsets from Panini.

I was able to get these two signed as he walked off the field in the first game near the home side entrance at the Alamodome.