Recruit Video Interview: Air Force OL Commit Brian Balestra, Jesuit High School

by Jace LeJeune

Jesuit senior offensive lineman and Air Force commit Brian Balestra (Property of LAFM)

As it is every other day here at Louisiana Football Magazine, it has been pretty busy especially over the last couple months when we have conducted our Louisiana Football Magazine photo shoots over that time period. We have finished our 23rd annual magazine cover shoot, but this year will mark the third straight year in which we have conducted both a North and South photo shoot. This year, we shot the North photo shoot at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and we shot the South photo shoot at Catholic High School in baton-rouge. Both events were really successful, and we would like to thank everybody who has helped us make both events so special for the players that were involved. Besides taking the photos, Louisiana Football Magazine’s owner Lee Brecheen and editor Jace LeJeune got the chance to talk to some of the top Class of 2020 players in the state of the Louisiana. Both Brecheen and LeJeune talked to the recruits about their top schools, goals for the upcoming season, hobbies, and so much more. The good news is that football season begins this month. Here at Louisiana Football Magazine, we know that you have been waiting long enough for some Louisiana football to start so we will post these video interviews that were taken at both photoshoot events to help you get through that time!

In today’s recruit interview, we go to Catholic High School where Lee Brecheen got the chance to talk to Jesuit High School senior offensive lineman and Air Force commit Brian Balestra!

Brian Balestra: Under Head Coach Mark Songy, the Jesuit Blue Jays have been known for their play upfront on both the offensive and defensive lines. This year, it will be much of the same as they will have to rely on defensive linemen Sonny Hazard (ULL commit) and Ethan Branch, but on the offensive line, the leader has to be Brian Balestra. Balestra has a chance to be the best offensive lineman to come through the program since Corey Dublin (Tulane). At 6-4, 265 pounds, Balestra has been versatile to play at offensive guard, offensive tackle, and according to Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen, excels the most as an offensive center. Brecheen loves his technique as well as his quickness off the football. Brecheen is not the only person to love his ability, but plenty of s have also shown him some love offering the Jesuit senior including Yale, Southeastern, Richmond, Northwestern State, Nicholls State, New Mexico State, McNeese State, Lamar, Jacksonville State, Georgetown, Furman, Dartmouth, Cornell, Colgate, and Bryant to name a few. Talking to Balestra, he has always shown a lot of interests in the military academies and it showed when Balestra committed to Air Force on July 27th. Not only does he have all the physical attributes, but he also shows that he has the intelligence to become a DI center with a 3.8 GPA and a 24 ACT in the classroom.

In today’s recruit interview, we go to Catholic High School where Lee Brecheen got the chance to talk to Jesuit High School senior offensive lineman and Air Force commit Brian Balestra to talk about the upcoming season, his top schools at the time, what it is like to block guys like Ethan Branch and Sonny Hazard in practice, and so much more! Click the link below to check out the interview!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1_4BYzJMj0

After watching all these interviews, if you are wondering about when both our North and South magazines will be released, it will be some time in August before the magazines will be distributed. However, do not worry as if you pre-order your copies below, you will receive your copies once the magazines are ready to be released!

North Magazine Pre-Order Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2019-annual-preview-north-edition/

South Magazine Pre-Order Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2019-annual-preview-south-edition/