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Ball State landed a physical specimen earlier today. Center and defensive tackle T.J. Beltavski took to Twitter to announce his decision. The 6-foot-2 295 pound lineman had reportedly held an offer from Tiffin before accepting his offer from Ball State.
So excited to say that I am committed to Ball State!!! ⚪️ @BallStateFB #ChirpChirp pic.twitter.com/RbWRtEnEnf
— T.J. Beltavski (@Beltavski66) July 30, 2015
T.J. Beltavski was kind enough to talk to Hustle Belt about his recent commitment and why he felt the Cardinals' program was the best suitor for him. "In my opinion, the combination of academics and athletics is the best fit for me," explained Beltavski. "I've been very impressed with the coaching staff and I look forward to attending Ball State once my teammates and I complete our senior season at Benedictine High School."
Winning is no foreign word to the Cardinals' newest recruit. Beltavski is from the Cleveland area and attended St. Benedictine High School, where he won the Division IV State Title. "Winning the State Championship in Ohio taught me the value of winning," Beltavski explained.
It was no easy road for the lineman's success. Beltavski has put in countless hours of weight lifting and training to become as good as he is. He told Hustle Belt that he could already squat 517 pounds his freshman year of high school. He increased it to 618 pounds during his sophomore year and most recently has squatted an astonishing 662 pounds this summer to along with his 607 pound deadlift. Below is a video of Beltavski easily squatting 662 pounds, but other videos of his lifts can also be found online, courtesy of YouTube.
"I hope to improve everyday and to help Ball State continue its winning tradition," were some of the goals Beltavski told Hustle Belt. He will have no problem accomplishing those goals if he continues to keep up his work ethic, which has made him a legitimate MAC prospect.
Here are just a few examples of the Cardinals' newest prospect tossing around defensive players, courtesy of Hudl: