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News Brief

Aug. 8, 2019EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ

Former MIAA stand out making an impression at Giants camp

New York Giants 6th Round Pick Corey Ballentine (Photo courtesy Gene Cassell, Washburn Athletics)

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New York Giants fans are finding out what the MIAA already knew about Corey Ballentine.

An All-American for the Washburn Ichabods, Ballentine is turning heads in his first NFL training camp.

The Topeka, Kansas native already has two interceptions in practice against first round draft pick Daniel Jones, and New York newspapers have labeled him as the "steal of the draft" and "separating himself from the pack."

Ballentine's rise becomes even more impressive considering he and friend Dwane Simmons were victims of a shooting the final night of the draft in April.

Ballentine recovered, but Simmons was killed in the incident.

The shooting shook the community, but Washburn head coach Craig Schurig said Ballentine wouldn't allow a senseless act of violence derail him.

"With what took place, and the tragedy he was involved with, he's just a remarkable young man and he's really been inspiring to our team – his grace and his confidence, and just everything how he's handled it. He really expresses himself well in the national media. Really, at that level, they need guys that are highly intelligent and can communicate so well. You can just see the pureness in his heart, too. You put all of those things together and you've got yourself a special young man. That's what Corey is."

Ballentine will make his NFL Preseason debut Thursday night as the Giants face the Jets.