Former Huntingdon receiver to get chance with new MLFB

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Asssitant 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Former Huntingdon receiver Taylor Belsterling was drafted in the first round in the inaugural Major League Football draft on Wednesday.

Belsterling, a Montgomery native, was chosen as a "franchise player" when he was selected with the No. 3 overall draft pick. 

"I didn't think it was a possibility until fairly recently," Belsterling said. "I had heard about the league and they reached out and we talked a few times. I took the opportunity and they seem pretty excited about having me on the team and I'm pretty excited to get back out on the field.

"It is new and there are still some unknowns that come along with it, on my end and with the league, but the bottom line is that I need to be playing football somewhere."

The MLFB is a spring league, which according to its website "is dedicated to creating an innovative, accessible, and fan-owned game, which is scheduled to kick off in 2016. MLFB's strategically placed spring / summer season will fill a critical need for outdoor football at that time of the year when sports content is in high demand."

The MLFB website states the eight-team league will run from April-July. As of Friday, the locations for the eight teams have not officially been announced. Belsterling was drafted third overall by the team that will be coached by former NFL defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.

The 40-round draft began on Wednesday with the Franchise Player Draft and continued on Thursday and Friday.

"I'm really happy for Taylor and all he's accomplished," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "He's gotten knocked down several times along the way, but he hasn't let that deter him from doing what he needed to do to prepare himself for any opportunity he may get."

Belsterling said he was noticed by a MLFB scout and general manager when he played in the FCS Bowl in December in Miami.

"They mentioned they like my speed, athleticism and size," Belsterling said.  "They were impressed with what I did, not just on the field but off the field as well.

"They liked how I communicated with the guys and the way I interacted with people. The scout said if I make plays on (the MLFB) team, I can have another shot at the National Football League, which is the ultimate goal."

Jerry Hardaway, the general manager who helped draft Belsterling, had nothing but praise for the former Hawk.

"Seeing him in person really helped us decide on him," Hardaway said. "Everyone wants a big wide receiver and he has a lot of NFL qualities. His attitude is what really drew us in. He has good hands and size, but you could see that he wanted to be the best on and off the field and he practiced hard, which is what we want."

Huntingdon Director of Strength and Conditioning Charlie Goodyear said Belsterling has worked hard for this opportunity. Goodyear helped the 6-foot-4, 204-pound receiver train for NFL mini-camps with the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints last May and has continued to train Belsterling for other opportunities.

"One of the most impressive things about Taylor is his commitment," Goodyear said. "It's easy to train when you have a mini-camp or a combine or some sort of target ahead. But when there is no end in sight, when you don't know if you are going to have to report somewhere in a week, a month or six months, it can be difficult to come in and train like a professional athlete.

"At the end of the day, Taylor has had to create that momentum for himself. My hat is off to him. He has continued to train and prepare himself for this opportunity."

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