The Edcouch-Elsa “Thunder D” was the Rio Grande Valley’s top defensive unit on the football field this past season, and the Yellow Jackets’ ballhawking defensive back, Jesus Beltran, was a big reason why.
Friday afternoon, the Edcouch-Elsa senior signed to continue his academic and football career at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas.
“I’ve been waiting for this day since I was a freshman in high school. I’ve been working for this day, so now that it’s here, it’s a blessing,” Beltran said.
A three-year letterman and shutdown cornerback, Beltran racked up 105 total tackles, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, four tackles for loss and 29 pass break ups during his high school career with “La Maquina Amarilla.” He was also a three-time all-district selection and team-captain, and the swarm of Yellow Jackets always followed his lead.
But Beltran was also just as good in the classroom as he boasts a 3.4 GPA and is a member of the AP Honor Roll.
“Seeing Jesus develop throughout the years has been something special. We’ve seen him grow from a kid to a brilliant, young man that pretty much was our leader in the secondary and one of our defensive captains that the kids rallied around,” Edcouch-Elsa football head coach Chris Navarro said.
Now, Beltran, a first-generation college student, will take his skills and his smarts to Sterling College on scholarship. Sterling College is a Christian Liberal Arts College in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
“Sterling College is getting a committed individual, a hard-working individual. He is exactly what Edcouch-Elsa represents,” Edcouch-Elsa defensive coordinator Victor Cardenas said. “We’re very proud of Jesus and his family. Aside from being a great football player, he’s a great young man. We’re excited that he gets to go and represent Edcouch-Elsa at Sterling College.”
Beltran thanked his family for helping him earn the opportunity to continue his athletic and academic career at the next level.
“I’m thankful for my family and my friends, but especially for my mom and my older brother. Without their support since I started playing football when I was young, I don’t think I would ever get to this point, so I just want to thank them for everything,” Beltran said.