WORCESTER, MA - Massachusetts Pirates defensive Back Corrion Ballard is the latest member of the organization to move up to another level. Ballard has signed a contract with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. Ballard, 6'3" 205 lbs., out of the University of Utah played in three games for Massachusetts this season making a total of 15 tackles with a half sack and forcing one fumble.
This will be Ballard's fifth professional league. In 2019 Ballard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League and attended training camp. He saw action with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in the 2020 season appearing in five games making four tackles. When the season was lost to the pandemic, Ballard signed a contract with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
Ballard is the fourth player from the Pirates opening day roster that has "moved up." Kicker Josh Gable signed a contract with Edmonton of the Canadian Football League. Defensive lineman Toby Johnson was selected as the fifth pick in the 25th round by the New Jersey Generals with the 208th overall choice in the USFL Draft and wide receiver Teo Redding was taken in that league's supplemental draft by the Houston Gamblers.
Ballard began his collegiate career at Blinn College where he was a First-Team All Conference selection and the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference. He then played two seasons for the University of Utah. Ballard, who hails from Houston, TX, played in 27 games making 23 starts. He registered 115 tackles (79 solo) with five tackles for a loss with one sack, three interceptions, defended 12 passes, forced a fumble and recovered another. Ballard equaled his career high of 12 tackles in the 2018 PAC-12 Championship game against Washington and led the Utes with 10 tackles and a career best 2.5 tackles for a loss (including a sack) in the Holiday Bowl vs. Northwestern. At season's end he received All-PAC-12 Honorable Mention accolades.
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. For 2022 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277) or visit www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.
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