How Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage became an athletic freak.

When did he first see it? When does a father first notice that his son is destined for athletic greatness? Was it on a youth football field back in Colorado? Or on a high school track as young Kalen Ballage raced past the competition?

No, it was none of that, Reggie Ballage said. He knew before Kalen, approaching his senior season at Arizona State, was even born. Reggie knew that about all five of his children.

“I knew they were going to be athletes,” Reggie Ballage said, “because of the genetics that I had.”

Yes, the Ballage family tree. It’s something.

Growing up in Texas, Reggie was one of nine (with four more step-brothers and -sisters). His father served 26 years in the United States Army, fighting in the Korean and Vietnam wars, earning service medals. Othell Ballage raised his children with an understanding that nothing in life is just handed to you. It requires work, a lesson that transferred to athletics.

At Pueblo South High in Colorado, Reggie Ballage was a 5-7, 155-pound fullback. Behind him was his younger brother Pat. For two years, the Ballage brothers gave defenses a powerful 1-2 punch.

Reggie went on to play briefly at Adams State, a small college in Alamosa, Colo. A standout defensive back, Pat played four years at Notre Dame and two with the Indianapolis Colts. Both followed older brother Howard, who had starred at the University of Colorado as a return specialist and had stints in the Canadian and United States football leagues.

Long after their playing days, the Ballage competitiveness still ran hot. No Glory Days chatter with this bunch. Instead, they relived them. As recently as 10 years ago the Ballage brothers took the talk outside, lining up in a race for bragging rights.

So, no, Reggie Ballage didn’t need to see anything to know that Kalen, his fourth born, was destined for something great. But he will admit this:

“Kalen just took it to a whole different level because of his size.”

Impressive numbers

A month ago, as ASU wrapped up its final offseason conditioning session, Kalen Ballage stood inside the Verde Dickey Dome, answering questions about the Catapult GPS technology the program uses to measure workload and speed.

The senior running back said he liked the results. It made him push harder, and as a competitor, he enjoyed the backand-forth it produced among teammates.

“22 mph – that’s all you can do?” Ballage was asked.

“23.3,” he answered quickly. “Nice try, though.”

Ballage is an elite athlete. Entering last season, he measured 6-25⁄8 inches, rounded up on the official roster to 6-3. He weighed 227 pounds with 6.37 percent body fat. He had a 37-inch vertical leap and a standing long jump of 9-11 3⁄4 inches. He could power clean 343 pounds, bench press 360 and squat 513. All impressive numbers. But about that size. Ballage didn’t get it from his parents. Reggie stands 6 feet. His wife, LaVonda, is 5-6. Even Kalen’s older brother, Keenen, a former Colorado high school state champion in the 100 meters, the self-proclaimed “runt of the group,” stands only 5-9.

At the same time, Reggie Ballage’s grandmother stood 6 feet. All his mom’s sisters were at least that size. Reggie also had an uncle on his dad’s side who reached 6-7, so although the height gene might have skipped a few branches on the family tree, it remains strong.

That’s what makes Ballage special. Not just speed, not just size, but the combination of the two. It’s rare, not just in college football but in football, period.

“There aren’t many humans that size that can run as fast as he can,” ASU running backs coach John Simon said.

Combining speed and power

Kalen Ballage is humble. After scoring eight touchdowns, tying an NCAA record, last season against Texas Tech, he brought his entire offensive line to the postgame news conference.

Ballage, however, has a look. It’s not intimidating, not humorous. It simply seems to ask: Are you serious?

Ask if he’s ASU’s fastest player and Ballage might flash that look. Ask about his No. 14 ranking on a national “freaks” list, and he might flash it as well.

Over the past month, both coach Todd Graham and offensive coordinator Billy Napier have discussed getting Ballage more touches, a difficult task given ASU’s crowded backfield.

Back in Colorado, Reggie Ballage is ready for this. He’s known for years what his son can do. In some ways, he knew before Kalen Ballage was even born.

“I know Kalen,” Reggie Ballage said. “I’ve watched him and I know the things he can do, but at the same time Kalen is a team player. He’s going to do whatever it takes to help his teammates win. It’s not about him.

“But they haven’t even tapped into his potential and what he can do.”