Corey Ballentine Bio
Corey Ballentine is a Jamaican-American professional football cornerback currently playing for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Ballentine moved to the United States at age six and grew up in Kansas. He played college football at Washburn University, where he developed into an elite defensive player and earned the Cliff Harris Award as the nation’s top small college defensive player in 2018. The New York Giants selected Ballentine in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he has since built a journeyman career spanning multiple NFL franchises.
Early Life and Background
Ballentine was born on April 13, 1996, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He relocated to the United States at age six, settling in Kansas where he would complete his secondary education. His early years in America laid the foundation for his future athletic pursuits, as he began competing in both football and track and field at a young age.
Ballentine attended Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh, Kansas, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. His performance on the gridiron caught the attention of college recruiters, while his speed and athleticism were equally impressive on the track. This dual-sport background would become a defining characteristic of his athletic profile throughout his collegiate and professional career.
Path to American Football
Following his standout high school career at Shawnee Heights, Ballentine enrolled at Washburn University, a Division II program in Topeka, Kansas. He played for the Washburn Ichabods from 2014 to 2018, appearing in 46 games throughout his collegiate career. His journey was not without challenges, as Ballentine considered leaving the team during the summer before his freshman season before ultimately deciding to remain.
At Washburn, Ballentine developed into a versatile defensive player who contributed in multiple facets of the game. Beyond his primary role in the secondary, he served as the team’s kick returner and demonstrated a knack for blocking field goals, tallying four blocked kicks during his collegiate career. His speed remained a valuable asset, with the cornerback posting personal bests of 10.51 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 21.25 seconds in the 200-meter dash while competing in track.
His senior season in 2018 marked the pinnacle of his collegiate career. Ballentine won the Cliff Harris Award, presented annually to the nation’s top small college defensive player. He also earned second-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association. These accolades drew significant attention from NFL scouts, leading to an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl and participation in the NFL Scouting Combine.
Corey Ballentine Career
New York Giants (2019–2020)
The New York Giants selected Corey Ballentine in the sixth round with the 180th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. His rookie season coincided with a tragic event in April 2019, just days after being drafted, when Ballentine was injured in a shooting in Topeka while attending an off-campus party. The incident resulted in the death of his college teammate and roommate, Dwane Simmons. Despite this adversity, Ballentine reported to training camp and began his professional career.
Ballentine appeared in games during his rookie and sophomore seasons with the Giants, learning the nuances of NFL defensive schemes while adjusting to the increased competition level. The Giants waived Ballentine on November 10, 2020, concluding his tenure with the franchise after two seasons.
New York Jets and Detroit Lions (2020–2021)
One day after being waived by the Giants, Ballentine was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on November 11, 2020. He joined the Jets’ roster for the remainder of the 2020 season. During the following summer, Ballentine was waived/injured by the Jets on August 23, 2021, and placed on injured reserve. The Jets released him on September 15, 2021.
The Detroit Lions claimed Ballentine off waivers the following day. His time in Detroit was brief, as he was placed on injured reserve on October 15, 2021. Ballentine was activated from injured reserve on November 18 but was waived the very next day and signed to the practice squad.
Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals (2022)
On January 12, 2022, Ballentine signed a reserve/future contract with the Atlanta Falcons, providing him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot ahead of the 2022 season. However, he was waived by the Falcons on August 30 during final roster cuts, ending his brief stint in Atlanta.
Ballentine joined the Arizona Cardinals on September 7, 2022, signing with their practice squad. His tenure in Arizona lasted only 13 days before he was released from the practice squad, prompting him to continue seeking opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Green Bay Packers (2022–2024)
Ballentine signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad on September 28, 2022, beginning an extended stay with the franchise. He earned a promotion to the active roster on November 12, 2022, solidifying his place on the team. Ballentine re-signed with the Packers on March 20, 2023, indicating the organization’s confidence in his abilities.
After being released by Green Bay on August 29, 2023, Ballentine was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for Week 3 of the 2023 season and later promoted to the active roster on October 25, demonstrating his consistency and dependability. Ballentine continued his tenure with the Packers, re-signing with the team on March 12, 2024.
Indianapolis Colts (2025)
Ballentine signed with the Indianapolis Colts on March 14, 2025, seeking a fresh start with a new organization. He competed for a spot in the Colts’ secondary during the offseason program and training camp. However, Indianapolis released Ballentine on August 1, 2025, concluding his brief stint with the franchise.
Green Bay Packers Return (2025)
Ballentine returned to familiar territory when he signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers on August 4, 2025. This marked his second stint with the organization. However, he was waived on August 26 as part of the Packers’ final roster reductions, once again testing free agency.
New England Patriots (2025)
On August 28, 2025, Ballentine joined the New England Patriots practice squad. He appeared in one regular season game during his tenure before being released on September 23, 2025, continuing the journeyman nature of his NFL career.
Dallas Cowboys (2025–Present)
Ballentine signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on September 25, 2025, joining another storied NFL franchise. He worked to earn a promotion from the practice squad, showcasing his veteran experience and defensive instincts. His journey through multiple organizations demonstrates his resilience and determination to maintain an NFL career.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Ballentine has developed a reputation as a physical cornerback with exceptional speed, a trait he honed through years of track and field competition. His experience as a kick returner during his college career translates to special teams value, while his ability to contribute on multiple coverage units makes him a versatile depth player for defensive coordinator schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
The tragedy surrounding the 2019 NFL Draft, where Ballentine lost his college teammate in a shooting, stands as a defining chapter of his career. Despite this traumatic experience, Ballentine displayed remarkable resilience by reporting to training camp and beginning his professional journey. His perseverance through adversity exemplifies his character and commitment to football.
Corey Ballentine Career Statistics
Ballentine’s NFL career spans multiple teams over six seasons, with consistent contributions on special teams and rotational defensive duties. His statistical production reflects his role as a depth player who has contributed primarily on special teams units while seeing limited defensive snaps.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Ballentine has accumulated 103 career tackles, 9 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. His return game production includes 876 career return yards, demonstrating the versatility he brings as a former college kick returner. These numbers represent his contributions across stints with the New York Giants, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 103 |
| Pass Deflections | 9 |
| Forced Fumbles | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Return Yards | 876 |
Corey Ballentine Family
Family Background
Ballentine was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, before moving to the United States at age six. He grew up in a household that supported his athletic pursuits, though detailed information about his parents and family background remains private. His Jamaican heritage has remained an important part of his identity throughout his NFL career.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Ballentine has maintained a strong connection to track and field, having set indoor and outdoor sprinting records during his time at Washburn University. His athletic family tree includes his college teammate Dwane Simmons, with whom he shared a defensive backfield and dorm room at Washburn before the tragic events of April 2019. Ballentine’s journey through adversity has shaped his perspective and approach to his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another chapter in Ballentine’s journeyman NFL career. Beginning with the Indianapolis Colts in March, Ballentine competed for a roster spot during the offseason program. The Colts released him in early August during training camp roster cuts, prompting him to sign with the Green Bay Packers just days later for his second stint with the organization.
After being waived by the Packers during final roster reductions, Ballentine joined the New England Patriots practice squad in late August. He appeared in one regular season game with the Patriots before being released in late September. The Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad on September 25, providing another opportunity to continue his NFL career with a franchise known for its defensive tradition.
Throughout the 2025 season, Ballentine’s experience and versatility remained valuable assets as he navigated the roster dynamics of multiple organizations. His ability to contribute on special teams and provide depth at the cornerback position kept him employed across several teams throughout the league year. His resilience in the face of repeated roster moves exemplifies the perseverance required to maintain an NFL career in a competitive league.