Corey Ballentine Bio
Corey Ballentine (born April 13, 1996) is a Jamaican-American professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football at the Division II level for the Washburn Ichabods, he entered the league when the New York Giants selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Across his professional career, Ballentine has suited up for several franchises and currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
Early Life and Background
Corey Ballentine was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and later relocated to the United States when he was six years old. He settled in Kansas, where he attended Shawnee Heights High School and developed into a multi-sport athlete. The move from Jamaica to the American Midwest gave him his first sustained exposure to organized football and shaped the path that eventually led him to the collegiate and professional ranks.
While at Shawnee Heights, Ballentine balanced football with track and field, an athletic foundation that would later become one of his defining traits. He continued that dual-sport approach after high school, carrying his sprinting background into his college years. His upbringing in a tight-knit community and his early experience adjusting to a new country helped build the resilience that has characterized his professional journey.
Path to American Football
After completing high school, Ballentine joined the Washburn Ichabods, a Division II program in Kansas, where he appeared in 46 games over his college career. At one point he nearly quit the team during the summer before his freshman year, but he returned and developed into a key contributor on defense while also serving as the team’s kick returner and blocking four field goals. His combination of coverage skills and special teams impact earned him regional and national attention at the small-college level.
Following his senior season, Ballentine was awarded the Cliff Harris Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top small-college defensive player. He was also named a second-team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American in 2018. His performance at Washburn attracted NFL scouts, leading to an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he impressed evaluators with his straight-line speed. He also participated in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, solidifying his status as a draft prospect.
Corey Ballentine Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Ballentine began his professional career with the New York Giants, who selected him in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. He spent his rookie season working to earn a role in the Giants’ secondary, contributing on defense and special teams while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. His development was cut short in 2020, when he was waived by the Giants on November 10.
Shortly after his release from New York, Ballentine was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on November 11, 2020. He remained with the Jets into the 2021 offseason before being waived with an injury designation on August 23 and placed on injured reserve. The Jets released him on September 15, ending his first brief stint with the team.
Detroit Lions Era (2021)
On September 16, 2021, Ballentine was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He appeared in games for Detroit before being placed on injured reserve on October 15. He was activated on November 18, then waived the next day and re-signed to the practice squad, rounding out a turbulent but productive stretch with the organization.
Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals Stints (2022)
Ballentine signed a reserve/future contract with the Atlanta Falcons on January 12, 2022, looking to build on his experience. He was waived by Atlanta on August 30 as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. Shortly afterward, on September 7, 2022, the Arizona Cardinals signed him to their practice squad, though he was released thirteen days later as the Cardinals reshaped their depth chart.
Green Bay Packers Tenure (2022-2024)
Ballentine’s longest sustained professional stretch came with the Green Bay Packers, who signed him to their practice squad on September 28, 2022. He was promoted to the active roster on November 12 and went on to re-sign with the team in March 2023. Throughout the 2023 season he moved between the practice squad and active roster, earning elevations for key matchups and eventually a promotion to the active roster on October 25.
On March 12, 2024, Ballentine re-signed with the Packers, continuing his role in the secondary and on special teams. He remained with Green Bay into the 2025 offseason, providing veteran depth and a familiar presence in the locker room. His extended tenure in Green Bay represented the most stable chapter of his NFL career to that point.
Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots (2025)
On March 14, 2025, Ballentine signed with the Indianapolis Colts in search of a fresh opportunity. He was released by Indianapolis on August 1 as part of roster decisions heading into the regular season. A few weeks later, on August 28, 2025, he signed a contract to join the New England Patriots practice squad. He appeared in one regular-season game before being released on September 23.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025-Present)
On September 25, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys signed Ballentine to their practice squad, marking his next professional home. He was promoted to the active roster on December 24, giving him an opportunity to contribute down the stretch of the season. His move to Dallas reflects the steady demand for experienced cornerbacks with speed and special teams value.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most difficult moments of Ballentine’s life came in the early morning hours of April 28, 2019, the Sunday following the 2019 NFL draft. He was injured in a shooting in Topeka, Kansas, while attending an off-campus party. His college roommate and Washburn defensive backfield teammate Dwane Simmons was killed in the shooting. The tragedy cast a shadow over the start of Ballentine’s professional career and underscored the personal challenges he has navigated en route to a long NFL journey.
Corey Ballentine Family
Personal Life
Ballentine was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and moved to the United States at six years of age, settling in Kansas. While at Shawnee Heights and Washburn, he also ran track alongside playing football, setting Ichabod records for various indoor and outdoor sprinting events. He recorded personal bests of 10.51 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.25 seconds in the 200 meters during his time as a collegiate sprinter.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of the most eventful of Ballentine’s career, marked by several team changes in quick succession. After signing with the Indianapolis Colts in March, he was released in late summer and briefly joined the New England Patriots practice squad, appearing in one regular-season game before being let go in September. He then signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad later that month and was promoted to the active roster in late December, offering him a chance to contribute in the final weeks of the season.
His ability to move between practice squads and active rosters across multiple organizations highlights the journeyman nature of his 2025 campaign. Each stop provided a brief window to demonstrate his coverage skills and special teams value, with the Cowboys ultimately offering him the most significant opportunity of the year. As the season closes, Ballentine’s role with Dallas represents both stability and a platform to compete for a longer-term place on the roster.