Tucson Sugar Skulls

Ryan Balentine joins the Sugar Skulls for his first season with the team; his eigth total season in the IFL. Balentine most recently played for the Iowa Barnstormers from 2017-2019.

As a member of the Barnstormers under current Sugar Skulls Head Coach Dixie Wooten, Balentine earned first-team All-IFL honors in 2019, one season after being named the 2018 United Bowl MVP for the IFL Champion Barnstormers. During the 2018 season, Balentine also led the IFL in multiple receiving categories, including receptions (89), receiving yards (1,089) and receiving touchdowns (28). Balentine also previously played for both Green Bay and Cedar Rapids in the IFL.

The Killeen, Texas native spent his entire preps and junior college career as a quarterback, graduating from Harker Heights High School and Trinity Valley Junior College. Upon transferring to Southern Mississippi in 2009, Balentine transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver. He spent three years playing for Southern Mississippi, spreading 883 career receiving yards and eight touchdowns across 65 receptions.