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Steve Martin interviews Justin Beaver
Interviewed on: Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 Steve Martin: Hi Justin. Coach Berezowitz gave me your number last year... for some reason I thought you were already a senior then, so I have just been waiting for this latest draft to get over so I could give you a call. Justin Beaver: Well, thanks. SM: What is a conservative height and weight for you, Justin? JB: I am 5'8.5", and 200 pounds. SM: You've added some weight, huh? JB: Yes. SM: Well, that's really good if you can keep that weight without losing any of your speed. JB: That's right... I think I have been able to do that... I ran a 4.49 and 4.51 just recently. SM: How many bench reps can you do? JB: 22. SM: Really? Wow... that's awesome for a guy your size... very impressive. JB: Thanks. SM: What's your max on the bench? JB: 365. SM: What about power clean? JB: 264. SM: Squat? JB: 455. SM: Any idea what your vertical might be? JB: Yes. It's 33.5" SM: Do you know your broad jump? JB: 9'6". SM: Those are all very good numbers. So, what are your mom and dad's names? JB: Well, I was raised by my grandparents, so do you want their names or my real parents'? SM: It's up to you. JB: My grandfather is named Donald, and my grandmother is named Joanna. SM: What does your grandfather do? JB: He works construction... machine work. SM: And your grandmother? JB: She works for a company called Generac. SM: What do they make, or do? JB: They make generators. SM: Oh, ok... great. So, do you have any brothers or sisters? JB: Just a half-brother named Hans Zuerner. SM: How old is Hans? JB: He's just 6. SM: Oh, that's cool... one of your biggest fans I bet. JB: Yes, he is. SM: Where did you go to high school, Justin? JB: I went to Palmyra-Eagle High School. SM: How big a school is that? JB: Oh, it's pretty small... about 400 students. SM: What division of Wisconsin football would that be then? JB: It's division 5, out of 7. SM: When did you first start playing organized football, Justin? JB: It was not until I reached the 7th grade at Palmyra-Eagle Middle School. SM: What position did you play that very first year? JB: Running back. I've always been a running back. SM: When you got to your freshman year at the high school, were you on the freshman team, or JV team, or varsity? JB: I was free safety on the JV team. SM: And your sophomore year? JB: I play varsity running back and defensive back the next three seasons. SM: How did your teams do while you were there? JB: We were two rounds from the state title game my junior year, and just one round away from the state title game my senior year. SM: Do you remember anything about your high school stats? JB: Umm....let's see...My senior year I rushed for 1986 yards, and my junior year I rushed for about 1200 yards. SM: What kind of honors or awards did you win? JB: I was all-conference on both offense and defense my junior year. My senior year I was an all-State, division 5 at running back. SM: Did you play any other sports in high school? JB: I played two years of varsity basketball and I ran track. SM: What were your track events? JB: I was a long jumper, ran the 4x100, the 200, and the 4x200. SM: What was your best time in the 200? JB: Oh, I really can't remember...my best long jump was 21' 11.5". SM: Very good! So tell me... who did you hear from coming out of high school? Lots of schools, or...? JB: Mostly just Division II schools... St.Cloud, Winona, St. Norbert, Lakeland... SM: How did Whitewater win out then? JB: Well, they were always kind of the frontrunner. My best friend Travis Reuland went there, and I thought it would be great to go and play with him again. SM: What position was Travis? JB: He was a fullback. SM: Did you redshirt at all? JB: Yes, in '03. SM: I know you've put up some amazing stats, Justin... especially in 2005. Were they down some last year? JB: Yes. During the 6th game of the season, I broke my collar bone. The funny thing is that it happened on the very play that I set the record for most rushing yards in a game ever here at Whitewater. SM: ...no way, that's wild. JB: Yea. It was also the same day that Adrian Peterson got injured. SM: Was it a clean break? JB: Well, it was actually broken in three spots. They put a plate in there for several weeks. I missed 5 games last year. But the plate is out now, and everything is fine. SM: What do consider some of the unique strengths of your game, Justin? JB: I would say my speed and agility. I am also pretty strong. Best of all would be my vision as a running back. SM: Are there any things you're still working to improve on? JB: I'd say everything really... I especially need to work on my hands... We haven't had any plays for the running back to catch the ball, but we are changing that some for this fall. SM: How many catches did you have last year? JB: Only a couple. SM: What about your blocking? JB: I would say I have gotten a lot better at that. I didn't have to do much blocking in high school, so it's something I've really focused on. SM: Do you cut a lot? JB: Yes. I would say that cut blocking is definitely my forte. SM: Where does football rank in your list of life priorities? JB: Right under family... I haven't had exactly what you would call a normal family situation, but that is still #1. SM: Do you ever see your real mom and dad? JB: Well, my dad died during my senior year of high school. SM: Oh, I'm sorry... JB: It's OK. SM: What about mom? JB: I see mom once in awhile. SM: So you guys are on speaking terms then? JB: Yes, we are. SM: Are you one of these guys who likes to set a lot of goals? JB: Oh yes. I have been trained to set goals all my life... last year our goal was to get back to the national title game, and we accomplished that. SM: How are things shaping up for this fall? JB: We should be pretty good again. We have 4 of our 5 offensive line starters back... SM: I know you've got to love that as a running back. JB: Definitely. SM: Did you guys have a good incoming recruiting class? JB: Yes. Very good. We've got some good backs coming in, and even more depth for the offensive line. SM: What is your major, Justin? JB: Physical education with a minor in health. SM: What is your G.P.A.? JB: 3.5. SM: Outstanding. I don't know how you guys can do it all with all the demands of football. You must have no time for a social life. JB: Oh, I still make time... (laughing) SM: So do you have aspirations of playing at the next level? JB: Oh yes, ever since I was a kid I've thought about that possibility. SM: Would you consider playing in the CFL or the AFL if the NFL didn't come calling? JB: Oh definitely. It's still football. SM: What about AF2? JB: What's that? SM: It's the developmental league for Arena Football...they pay like $200-$250 per week plus room and board. JB: Hey, I am willing to start wherever I have to as long as I can keep on playing. SM: Well, it's been a pleasure, Justin. Thanks for your time and good luck to you and the guys this fall. JB: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity. |