{{Short description|Jamaican-American football player (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Corey Ballentine | image = Corey Ballentine (50507561743) (cropped).jpg | caption = Ballentine with the New York Giants in 2020 | position = Cornerback | currentteam = Dallas Cowboys | number = 36 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|4|13}} | birth_place = Montego Bay, Jamaica | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 196 | high_school = Shawnee Heights {{nowrap|(Tecumseh, Kansas, U.S.)}} | college = Washburn (2014–2018) | draftyear = 2019 | draftround = 6 | draftpick = 180 | pastteams = * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2019|2020}}) * New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2020|2021}}) * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2021}}) * Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2024}}) * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2025}})* * Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2025}})* * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2025}}) * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present) | status = Active | highlights = * 2018 Cliff Harris Award winner | statseason = 2025 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 103 | statlabel2 = Forced fumbles | statvalue2 = 2 | statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = Pass deflections | statvalue4 = 9 | statlabel5 = Interceptions | statvalue5 = 1 | statlabel6 = Return yards | statvalue6 = 876 | pfr = BallCo00 }} '''Corey Ballentine''' (born April 13, 1996) is a Jamaican-American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washburn Ichabods, and was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also played for the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots.
==Early life== Ballentine was born in Jamaica and moved to Kansas when he was six years old.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/24/sports/giants-corey-ballentine-shooting.html | title=The Giants Changed Corey Ballentine's Life. Hours Later So Did a Bullet. | work=The New York Times | date=June 24, 2019 | accessdate=August 22, 2024 | last1=Waldstein | first1=David }}</ref>
==College career== After playing at Shawnee Heights High School, Ballentine played college football at Division II Washburn, Ballentine played in 46 games after almost quitting the team in the summer before his freshman year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Rick |title=Cliff Harris national honor continues awards harvest for Washburn's Corey Ballentine |url=https://www.hdnews.net/sports/20181227/cliff-harris-national-honor-continues-awards-harvest-for-washburns-corey-ballentine |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=hdnews.net |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427141656/https://www.hdnews.net/sports/20181227/cliff-harris-national-honor-continues-awards-harvest-for-washburns-corey-ballentine |url-status=dead }}</ref> He primarily played on defense but also served as the team's kick returner and blocked four field goals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Jon |title=Broncos met with Washburn CB Corey Ballentine at Senior Bowl |url=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/08/corey-ballentine-2019-nfl-draft-met-with-denver-broncos-at-senior-bowl/ |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=Broncos Wire|date=February 8, 2019 }}</ref> Ballentine won the Cliff Harris Award after the conclusion of his senior season, which is given annually to the nation's top small college defensive players. He was also named a 2018 second-team AFCA All-American.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washburn University's Corey Ballentine wins Cliff Harris Award |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2018-12-24/dii-football-washburn-universitys-corey-ballentine-wins-cliff |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=National Collegiate Athletic Association}}</ref>
After his senior year, Ballentine was invited to the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he drew attention for his speed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Ryan |title=Senior Bowl 2019: Under-the-radar players who are improving draft stock with strong week in Mobile |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/senior-bowl-2019-under-the-radar-players-who-are-improving-draft-stock-with-strong-week-in-mobile/ |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=CBS Sports|date=January 24, 2019 }}</ref> He also participated in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corey Ballentine, Washburn, Cornerback |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Corey-Ballentine-46081143/ |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=247Sports.com}}</ref> Corey also has a personal best of 10.51, in the 100m, and 21.25 in the 200m while running track at Washburn.
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 | weight = 196 | dash = 4.47 | ten split = 1.52 | twenty split = 2.62 | shuttle = 4.14 | cone drill = 6.82 | vertical = 39.5 | broad ft = 11 | broad in = 3 | bench = 15 | arm span = 31 5/8 | hand span = 9 1/2 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 5 | wonderlic = | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corey Ballentine Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/corey-ballentine/32004241-4c69-2329-7f6f-1def422cc400 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Corey Ballentine College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1027149&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2019/rounds/6 |title=Draft Tracker 2019 |website=NFL.com |access-date=May 23, 2026}}</ref> }}
===New York Giants=== Ballentine was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salomone, Dan |date=April 27, 2019 |title=Washburn CB Corey Ballentine drafted by Giants at No. 180 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/washburn-cb-corey-ballentine-drafted-by-giants-at-no-180 |website=Giants.com}}</ref><ref name="DailyNews" />
On November 10, 2020, Ballentine was waived by the Giants.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eisen |first1=Michael |title=Giants waive CB Corey Ballentine; Will Hernandez, Dante Pettis activated |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-waive-cb-corey-ballentine-will-hernandez-activated-dante-pettis |website=Giants.com |access-date=November 10, 2020 |date=November 10, 2020}}</ref>
===New York Jets=== Ballentine was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on November 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|work=NewYorkJets.com|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-claim-cb-corey-ballentine|title=Jets Claim CB Corey Ballentine|first=Ethan|last=Greenberg|date=November 11, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref> He was waived/injured on August 23, 2021, and placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Place DE Carl Lawson on IR, Sign DE Aaron Adeoye and OL Isaiah Williams|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-de-carl-lawson-on-ir-sign-de-aaron-adeoye-and-ol-isaiah-williams|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 23, 2021|access-date=August 26, 2021|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826040534/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-de-carl-lawson-on-ir-sign-de-aaron-adeoye-and-ol-isaiah-williams|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ballentine was released by New York on September 15.
===Detroit Lions=== On September 16, 2021, Ballentine was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions claim CB/KR Corey Ballentine off waivers|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/9/16/22678293/detroit-lions-claim-cb-kr-corey-ballentine-off-waivers|work=Pride of Detroit|publisher=SB Nation|date=September 16, 2021}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on October 15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reisman |first=Jeremy |date=October 15, 2021 |title=Lions place Corey Ballentine on IR, sign CB Shakur Brown to practice squad |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/15/22727990/detroit-lions-place-corey-bellnetine-ir-sign-cb-shakur-brown-practice-squad |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=Pride Of Detroit |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}</ref> Ballentine was activated on November 18, then waived the next day and re-signed to the practice squad.
===Atlanta Falcons=== On January 12, 2022, Ballentine signed a reserve/future contract the Atlanta Falcons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Falcons sign CB/KR Corey Ballentine to futures contract, active two off reserve/COVID-19 list|url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2022/1/12/22880724/falcons-sign-cb-kr-corey-ballentine-to-futures-contract-active-two-off-reserve-covid-19-list|work=The Falcoholic|publisher=SB Nation|date=January 12, 2022}}</ref> He was waived by Atlanta on August 30.<ref>{{cite web|title=Falcons announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2022 regular season|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-announce-initial-53-man-roster-heading-into-2022-regular-season|author=Bair, Scott|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 30, 2022}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On September 7, 2022, the Arizona Cardinals signed Ballentine to their practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colt McCoy Placed On IR; Cardinals Promote Trace McSorley |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/colt-mccoy-placed-on-ir-cardinals-promote-trace-mcsorley|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=September 7, 2022}}</ref> He was released off the practice squad thirteen days later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardinals sign Devon Kennard to active roster, release Andre Baccellia|url=https://arizonasports.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/cardinals-sign-devon-kennard-to-active-roster-release-andre-baccellia/3304811/|website=ArizonaSports.com|date=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
===Green Bay Packers (first stint)=== On September 28, 2022, the Green Bay Packers signed Ballentine to their practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Packers announce roster move |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-sept-28-2022 |website=Packers.com |access-date=September 28, 2022 |date=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928203109/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-sept-28-2022 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on November 12.<ref>{{cite web|title=Packers sign CB Corey Ballentine to active roster|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-cb-corey-ballentine-to-active-roster-wk-10-2022|website=Packers.com|access-date=November 12, 2022|date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> On March 20, 2023, Ballentine re-signed with the Packers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Packers re-sign CB Corey Ballentine and S Rudy Ford|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-re-sign-cb-corey-ballentine-and-s-rudy-ford|website=Packers.com|access-date=March 20, 2023|date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> He was released by Green Bay on August 29.<ref>{{cite web |title=Packers announce roster moves|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-2023-nfl-season|publisher=packers.com |access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> A day later, Ballentine was re-signed to the Packers' practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Packers sign 16 players to practice squad|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-16-players-to-practice-squad-2023|website=Packers.com |access-date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> He was elevated to the active roster for Week 3 of the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Packers elevate CB Corey Ballentine, RB Patrick Taylor for gameday|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-elevate-cb-corey-ballentine-rb-patrick-taylor-for-gameday-wk-3-2023|website=Packers.com |access-date=September 23, 2023}}</ref> Ballentine was promoted to the active roster on October 25.<ref>{{cite web|title=Packers place S Darnell Savage, CB Eric Stokes on injured reserve|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-place-s-darnell-savage-cb-eric-stokes-on-injured-reserve|website=Packers.com|date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
On March 12, 2024, Ballentine re-signed with the Packers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Packers re-sign CB Corey Ballentine and TE Tyler Davis|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-re-sign-cb-corey-ballentine-and-te-tyler-davis-2024|website=Packers.com|date=March 12, 2024}}</ref>
===Indianapolis Colts=== On March 14, 2025, Ballentine signed with the Indianapolis Colts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colts sign free agent CB Corey Ballentine |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-sign-free-agent-cb-corey-ballentine-green-bay-packers |access-date=March 14, 2025 |website=Colts.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was released by Indianapolis on August 1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colts sign CB Chris Lammons, release CB Corey Ballentine |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-sign-cb-chris-lammons-release-cb-corey-ballentine |website=Colts.com |access-date=2 August 2025}}</ref>
===Green Bay Packers (second stint)=== On August 4, 2025, Ballentine signed a contract to return to the Green Bay Packers.<ref name="Ballentine">{{cite web|title=Packers sign CB Corey Ballentine|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-cb-corey-ballentine-august-4-2025|website=Packers.com|date=August 4, 2025}}</ref> He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Packers announce roster moves Aug. 26, 2025 |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-aug-26-2025 |website=Packers.com |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref>
===New England Patriots=== On August 28, 2025, Ballentine signed a contract to join the New England Patriots practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-changes-to-the-practice-squad-x1420|title=Patriots Make Changes to the Practice Squad|website=Patriots.com|date=August 28, 2025|access-date=August 28, 2025}}</ref> He appeared in one regular season game before being released on September 23.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patriots Sign DB Tyron Herring to the Practice Squad and Release DB Corey Ballentine from the Practice Squad |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-db-tyron-herring-to-the-practice-squad-and-release-db-corey-ballentine-from-the-practice-squad |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Patriots.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Dallas Cowboys === On September 25, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys signed Ballentine to their practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Updates: Cowboys add CB to practice squad |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/updates-september-2025 |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=DallasCowboys.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on December 24.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sanchez |first1=Josh |title=Cowboys bolster defense with 2 practice squad elevations for Christmas |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/onsi/news/dallas-cowboys-bolster-defense-2-practice-squad-elevations-christmas |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref>
On March 23, 2026, Ballentine re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year, $1.3 million contract.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Charean |title=Cowboys re-sign Corey Ballentine |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cowboys-re-sign-corey-ballentine |website=NBC Sports |access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref>
==NFL career statistics== ===Regular season=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="2"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Comb !! Total !! Ast !! Sck !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TDs !! FF !! FR |- ! 2019 !! NYG | 13 || 2 || 26 || 21 || 5 || 0.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! rowspan=2|2020 !! NYG | 9 || 2 || 16 || 13 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! NYJ | 6 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- !2021 !DET |4 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- ! 2022 !! GB | 8 || 0 || 5 || 4 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 |- ! 2023 !! GB | 14 || '''6''' || '''43''' || '''28''' || '''15''' || 0.0 || '''7''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2024 !! GB | '''15''' || 1 || 6 || 6 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 |- ! rowspan=2|2025 !NE |1 |0 |1 |0 |1 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- ! DAL | 5 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | Career !! 75 || 11 || 103 || 76 || 27 || 0.0 || 9 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 |- | colspan="18"|<small>Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BallCo00.htm pro-football-reference.com]</small> |}
===Postseason=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="2"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Comb !! Total !! Ast !! Sck !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TDs !! FF !! FR |- ! 2023 !! GB | '''2''' || 0 || '''5''' || '''4''' || '''1''' || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2024 !! GB | 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | Career !! 3 || 0 || 5 || 4 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- | colspan="18"|<small>Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BallCo00/gamelog/post/ pro-football-referencecom]</small> |}
==Personal life== Ballentine was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and moved to the United States at six years of age.<ref name="DailyNews">{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=Pat |title=Corey Ballentine goes from Jamaica to Division II to Giants draft pick |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-giants-draft-corey-ballentine-division-ii-corner-20190427-xjpxcbstkjdipfemrxocrd2ci4-story.html |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=Daily News|date=April 27, 2019 |location=New York}}</ref> While at Shawnee Heights and Washburn, Ballentine ran track while playing football,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petersen |first=Rick |title=Ballentine time: Former Shawnee Heights, Washburn star projected to be NFL draft pick |url=https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20190424/ballentine-time-former-shawnee-heights-washburn-star-projected-to-be-nfl-draft-pick |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=Topeka Capital-Journal}}</ref> setting Ichabod records for various indoor and outdoor sprinting events.<ref name="USAToday">{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Jori |date=April 28, 2019 |title=New York Giants draft choice Corey Ballentine shot and injured, college teammate killed |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2019/04/28/corey-ballentine-nfl-draft-2019-giants-dwane-simmons-shot-killed/3609362002/ |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=USA Today}}</ref>
In the early morning hours of April 28, 2019, the Sunday following the 2019 NFL draft, Ballentine was injured in a shooting in Topeka while he was attending an off-campus party. Ballentine's college roommate and defensive backfield teammate Dwane Simmons was killed in the shooting.<ref name="USAToday" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons}} *[https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/corey-ballentine/ Dallas Cowboys bio] *[https://wusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5068 Washburn Ichabods bio]
{{Dallas Cowboys roster navbox}} {{Giants2019DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballentine, Corey}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:American football cornerbacks Category:Atlanta Falcons players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:Indianapolis Colts players Category:Jamaican emigrants to the United States Category:Jamaican players of American football Category:New York Giants players Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Green Bay Packers players Category:Sportspeople from Montego Bay Category:Players of American football from Topeka, Kansas Category:Washburn Ichabods football players Category:New York Jets players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Dallas Cowboys players