Second-round pick Anthony Belton went on 14 pre-draft visits before being selected by the Green Bay Packers at No
the number of visits suggests the league was interested in getting to know Belton
who was widely viewed by analysts as a third- or fourth-round player and ended up being somewhat of a surprise as a late second-round pick to Green Bay
It's possible many NFL teams viewed Belton as a better prospect than outsiders
LaFleur's answer came in response to running rookie minicamp and limiting the physical toll on first-year players following a grueling pre-draft process
Visits disrupt routine and can be physically and mentally draining for players who must fly around the country and meet with teams during a narrow pre-draft window
Belton was one of the busiest prospects of the 2025 cycle
Why would so many teams want to host Belton for a visit
whether it's answering questions about on-field or off-field matters or finishing up a medical evaluation
the Packers have gravitated towards drafting pre-draft visitors under Brian Gutekunst
Belton was a three-year starter at North Carolina State who participated at the Senior Bowl and did most of the athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine
he is also a 24-year-old prospect who was a zero-star recruit out of high school and spent his first two collegiate seasons at Georgia Military College
Other potential question marks include a habit of penalties (eight flags during each of his final three seasons)
an ejection for spitting on a player in-game and his weight
which fluctuated in-season at North Carolina State
Belton weighed 336 pounds at the combine and said he wants to drop another 10 pounds before the 2025 season
Belton’s Olivia Brillhart (1) runs in the Class 5A 3,200-meter run on Friday during the UIL Track & Field State Championship at the Mike A
Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin
Belton's Olivia Brillhart runs in the Class 5A 3,200-meter run on Friday during the UIL Track & Field State Championship at the Mike A
AUSTIN — Regardless of where Olivia Brillhart finished
A stellar career came to a close Friday at Mike A
where Belton’s standout distance runner completed her final laps with the program
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Green Bay Packers T Anthony Belton spoke with the media as the second-round pick prepares for rookie minicamp
Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden spoke to the media on Friday as the team kicked off rookie minicamp
Green Bay Packers DL Warren Brinson spoke to the media on Friday as the team kicked off rookie minicamp
Green Bay Packers DL Barryn Sorrell spoke with the media on Friday about his emotional draft day experience at Lambeau Field
New Green Bay Packers DL Collin Oliver spoke with the media after being drafted by the team in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Green Bay Packers OL John Williams spoke to the media on Friday about his unique skillset playing multiple positions on the O-line
Green Bay Packers WR Savion Williams spoke to the media on Friday about how he has acclimated to the area and his excitement for the Packers' offensive scheme
Green Bay Packers CB Micah Robinson spoke with the media on Friday about his collegiate journey and his familial connection with the Packers
Green Bay Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy went 1-on-1 with Larry McCarren during the NFL Annual Meeting to discuss the upcoming rule changes and the draft coming to Green Bay
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur sat down with Larry McCarren during the NFL Annual Meeting to discuss the priorities this offseason and preparation of key players going into the 2025 season
Packers analyst Larry McCarren goes 1-on-1 with General Manager Brian Gutekunst at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach
Green Bay Packers CB Nate Hobbs spoke with the media for the first time following his arrival as a free agent
Green Bay Packers S Evan Williams spoke with the media Monday about his rookie season
his development and what he's carrying into next year
Green Bay Packers TE Tucker Kraft spoke to the media Monday
reflecting on the 2024 season as a whole and where the team can grow next season
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur went one-on-one with Larry McCarren following the 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card playoff
Green Bay Packers S Xavier McKinney spoke with the media following the 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card playoff
Green Bay Packers DL Rashan Gary spoke with the media following the 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card playoff
Green Bay Packers DL Kenny Clark spoke with the media following the 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card playoff
Green Bay Packers DL Kingsley Enagbare spoke to the media Friday about the team chemistry that has been growing all season
Green Bay Packers DL Rashan Gary spoke to the media Friday about his excitement for the playoff environment in Philadelphia
Slaton and Head Coach Matt LaFleur are featured in this edition of Best of the Locker Room prior to the NFC Wild Card matchup against the Eagles
Green Bay Packers S Xavier McKinney spoke to the media Thursday about his familiarity playing on the road in Philadelphia and the matchup against their wideouts
Packers DL Kenny Clark spoke with the media on Thursday previewing the team's upcoming playoff matchup with the Eagles
Packers safety Evan Williams spoke with the media on Thursday looking ahead to the team's playoff matchup with the Eagles
Green Bay Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper spoke to the media Wednesday about the previous matchup against the Eagles and what's to come against them in the playoffs
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media on Friday about the goals for rookie minicamp and first impressions for the new members of the team
Take a closer look at the 2025 NFL Draft held in Green Bay
the Packers added three players to the defensive line
Mike Spofford breaks it down in this edition of Packers Daily
Mike Spofford recounts the 2025 NFL Draft experience as a whole
including the in-person moments with Matthew Golden and Barryn Sorrell in this edition of Packers Daily
Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) will honor its 169th graduating class during a commencement ceremony at 7:30 p.m
An estimated 537 students will be awarded degrees for the Spring 2025 ceremony
Three commissioning officers will also participate in the graduation ceremony
Bottled water will be provided for the graduates
but friends and family are encouraged to bring their own water
For anyone unable to attend, a live stream of the ceremony will be available at umhb.edu/commencement
CBS17.com
NC State’s Belton takes the long road to the NFL
commissioner accused of threatening wife with gun resigns
Long lines form at NCDMV offices ahead of REAL ID deadline
Dates for 2025 spring graduations at Triangle universities
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho is a new father after his wife Rosa gave birth to their daughter on Friday
The City of Fayetteville has approved an 11 p.m
A man convicted of drug trafficking in Lee County was recaptured after escaping a Hyde County prison
40 chickens are missing from a farm in Orange County
A wrong way driver was involved in a crash on I-40 in Raleigh
A federal judge ruled Allison Riggs is the winner of the North Carolina Supreme Court race
No suspects are in custody after a teenager was shot and killed in Durham
The REAL ID deadline has brough long lines to DMV offices in North Carolina
What's the biggest question this draft created for you
Who was your favorite draft pick this year
I predicted Matthew Golden
Picking anyone else would be like getting what you asked for on Christmas morning and saying
We've all talked about the potential in the WR room for a couple of years
Did Brian Gutekunst just tell the receivers it is time for potential to become actual production with this draft
but I see a deep room getting deeper and that should only push the returning wideouts that much harder
or did Gutey actually go a whole draft without making any trades
It's not feasible to have 12 or 13 draft picks each year unless you're moving back those first two days
I saw a video where the guy says Anthony Belton would make a good tackle
but an excellent guard because of his run-blocking
Is there such a thing as being too big to be a guard
That doesn't really seem to be a thing anymore
360) to guard and assembled one of the biggest offensive lines the NFL has ever seen in front of a 6-1 quarterback
It just depends on the player and the scheme
What's encouraging about Belton is he has the footwork and size to live on the edge
but those traits could translate to clogging up the interior
Anthony Belton is a big man with massive upside
how much stock does the team put into who stands out the most
There's opportunity for rookies and returning practice-squad players to stand out
but rookie minicamp is like passing out books and the curriculum
The goal is for rookies to get up to speed and contribute in a productive way once the veterans are back into town
I know we have a long way to go, but on paper how exciting does this offense look? Not including Christian Watson coming back hopefully towards the business end of the season! If Jordan Love is healthy
I am hoping for exciting things from the defense as well
we just seemed to focus more on the offense in the draft
I don't want to rush the fall season only having 18 holes of golf in thus far...but it's tempting
The Packers already had a bevy of receiving options and now add two more wideouts with enticing skill sets
Who's to say what form this offense will take in 2025
Take a closer look at some of the college highlights of the 2025 draft class of the Green Bay Packers
Hey guys, the Barryn Sorrell pick intrigues me
His measurables compare to other players who were all drafted in the first and second rounds in previous drafts
are normally drafted very high and coveted by teams
Did the Packers just smash on a super-high value guy who may have fallen through the cracks
I don't know why Sorrell was available in the back end of the fourth round
I'm just happy he was there because Sorrell has everything you look for in an NFL edge rusher (as Spoff outlined well on Wednesday)
Sorrell didn't have the sack numbers that pundits salivate over
but he does the little things well and has burgeoning pass-rush skills
Jack Sawyer and Bradyn Swinson all lasted longer than I thought they would going into the draft
Is Isaiah Simmons Eric Wilson 2.0
Looks like he has a history of similar utilization and talents
There's an opening as a core-four special-teamer
faster and rangier than Wilson as a linebacker
Give credit to Wilson for the NFL career he's carved out as a former college free agent
but Simmons was the eighth overall pick in 2020
he's one of those top 1% guys to which I was referring earlier this week
I am thrilled about the signing of Simmons
Simmons can play a multitude of roles on the defense
I know he can immediately play on special teams
but where would you predict he will fit in on our defense
That's a question for Jeff Hafley whenever we next speak with him
Simmons didn't see a ton of defensive playing time in New York but made an impact on special teams for the Giants the past two years
It's just been a matter of finding out how to best utilize those tools
Follow packers.com's coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft
Greetings Gents! I was wondering if Xavier McKinney might have suggested Isaiah Simmons to the decision-makers
or maybe they sought input from him on Simmons
but certainly Gutekunst and the scouting staff are aware of past player connections
Think of the picks Packers could get for them
teams can only receive a maximum of four compensatory picks
rather perplexed as to any comments as to Gute utterly breaking the existing Pack draft model: Big rather than mobile
swift/shifty as opposed to big edge rushers
Gute has adapted and needs a HUGE shoutout from Pack Nation
I think this year will be very entertaining and likely productive on the betting scale given my Nevada proximity
Does Gute have a love affair with Georgia football players
The Bulldogs have had great success recently but come on now
How many Georgia players on the roster right now
I don't know if Gutey's background is German
but I do know that his last name translates in English to "Good work(s) of art." And I do think everyone will agree that Gutey and his staff created a good work of art in the "Big 8" from this year's draft
how about a few words from the Pack's side about the first undrafted free-agent signings: Nazir Stackhouse and Jamon Dumas-Johnson
We have a full offseason to chat about rookies and college free agents
Let's wait till they sign their contracts and get on the field
What has been the evaluation of the draft in Green Bay from the people responsible for evaluating it at the NFL
I haven't heard anything from the NFL perspective
The NFL seems elated about how the Green Bay draft went based on a few informal and off-the-record conversations I've had with league folks
The event was obviously well attended live but also easily navigable for the NFL and its employees
There was ample space to bring staging in and out
I went into the draft thinking this might be a once-in-a-lifetime event but maybe
I'll cover another one in Green Bay before my time at packers.com is over
You mentioned the Packers could still sign a veteran cornerback
What are your thoughts on them possibly bringing back Rasul Douglas
I don't know but I am stunned Douglas is still on the market
Just saw the pictures from the draft event on our website. Looks like it has been awesome! I was wondering what the world map with those shiny buttons was all about
Did it represent where each of the selected draft picks is originated from
with patrons putting pins in the part of the world they came from
I obviously did my part and represented the 'Mico
Which team surprised you the most in the draft
Atlanta trading a future first-round pick to move back into the first round and take James Pearce Jr
just curious in your perspective if the Bears have done "more" for Caleb Williams relatively speaking than the Pack did for Aaron Rodgers in terms of surrounding him with the tools needed for success be it draft or FA
It's probably apples to oranges to some extent based on the craft of the craftsman plying the tools
And if defense wins championships then maybe offense was never a problem
I know the fourth-best member of the Shield was getting all hyped about Williams and the Bears at the draft
but Chicago still won five games last year
The Packers did plenty for Rodgers and vice versa
leading to a legendary 15-year run together
Only one team can win it all at the end of the day
Green Bay has done four times to Chicago's one in the Super Bowl era
How tempted do you think Gute was to take the Falcons' offer to move down 23 spots
but pick up a first-round draft pick in 2026
What did you think about the trade the Falcons and Rams executed
I'd say the Falcons think they're a lot closer to Super Bowl contention than I think they are
The Green Bay Packers started their 2025 offseason workout program on Monday
What are your thoughts regarding the recent debate setting the social media world ablaze
Do you think 100 men equipped solely with their bare hands could take out a fully grown silverback gorilla
The gorilla would most likely get a handful of us
but the sheer mass of humans would overpower the strongest gorilla
Wild hypothetical, Kyle. I prefer to keep it more realistic: Could 11 Wes Hodkiewicz-sized Wes Hodkiewiczs stop one Josh Jacobs on a football field
but knew it wasn't relevant with the draft questions
I loved the use of the word "donnybrook" last week
I first heard the word in John Wayne's "The Quiet Man" and looked it up
Great fun to see the origin surrounding a raucous affair
And here I thought it was just some random phrase Jim Ross once used during "Monday Night Raw."
As a shareholder of the Packers and a lifelong fan
what an outstanding experience it was to attend the NFL Draft in Green Bay with my two sons
the Packers organization and the NFL for the wonderful experience
I've heard many similar sentiments over the past few days
Just giving you a chance to reply with a link to a new "Unscripted." The boys are back in town and it's time to (finally) appreciate spring
With the draft in the rearview mirror it's time to turn our attention to...what
How about the Insider Inbox curators' summer plans
Any fun vacations planned for the PTO Spoff or Hod
rookie minicamp is coming up and the NFL schedule release is less than two weeks away
After setting a new standard for the NFL Draft
I hope the Packers' brass woke up on Monday morning and thought
I'll write two letters a week instead of one."
HAVE A QUESTION?
Join Packers.com writers as they answer the fans' questions in Insider Inbox
it's time the Packers host a Week 1 opener at Lambeau Field again
They're looking to expand those capabilities
The Packers picked an all-around winner in Matthew Golden
Any such decisions will be made in due time
Nobody really knows what these teams think until the picks are for real
the Packers hope to acquire a playmaker who'll add to this franchise's rich history
This draft could cause a tectonic shift in how the NFL views elite prospects
It is officially NFL Draft week in Green Bay
The draft is always more about the future than the present
your Neighborhood Reporter for Waco and Baylor University
Texas (KXXV) — Caysen Allison faces 6 months to 2 years and up to a $10,000 fine after the verdict in the May 2022 stabbing of Joe Ramirez at Belton High School
Two very different reactions were evident in the courtroom on Monday
following the judge's reading of the verdict against Caysen Allison
and clapping came from the side of the gallery with Caysen Allison’s family and friends
The verdict came as a surprise to Joe Ramirez’ family
saying although this isn’t the outcome they would have liked
the verdict helps get to the bottom of what happened in a Belton High School Bathroom when Caysen stabbed Joe in May 2022
“We will continue to fight for Justice for Caysen Allison
and he was thrust into a terrible situation,” Defense Attorney Zachary Boyd said
25 News reporter Dominique Leh asked the DA what they had to say to Ramirez’s family
No human being should have their child die in a violent way
and the Allison family is sorry for their loss
There is no happy ending,” said Zachary Boyd
they are left hurt and confused by the verdict
“What was your reaction when you heard the verdict?” asked Dominique Leh
he just got a slap on the wrist,” said James Sandoval
she’s left with no choice but to keep moving forward after what she is calling an emotionally draining trial
“He didn’t deserve this," Amanda Rios said
"I truly in my heart believe he didn’t want to go to the woods to fight him
and I believe Joe thought that bathroom was the safest place to go ahead and just get it over with."
Joe's mother said her first time watching a video of the stabbing was when it was played in open court
“It was everything I hoped it wouldn’t be,” she told Dominique
The defense requested Caysen’s ankle monitor be removed
Sentencing is scheduled to take place within the next six to eight weeks
The next step in the case is the sentencing phase
which is expected to occur within the next six to eight weeks
Caysen faces six months to two years and a possible fine of up to $10,000
Watch the full interview with the Caysen Allison Defense team below
I would have guessed Anthony Belton,’” Gilmore
the prestigious all-star game’s director of football operations
The Green Bay Packers under general manager Brian Gutekunst have picked frequently from the Senior Bowl’s deep well of talent
Gutekunst drafted four consecutive players who were selected for the Senior Bowl
the massive offensive lineman from North Carolina State
This guy is completely filled out throughout his entire body
Just covers guys up and engulfs people at the second level.”
Belton was a three-year starting left tackle in college. While his offensive line coach at NC State, Garett Tujague, repped him frequently at right tackle to prepare him for the NFL
the Senior Bowl gave Belton a chance to show his flexibility by playing guard
set to battle incumbent starting left tackle Rasheed Walker and with Zach Tom entrenched at right tackle
right guard might be Belton’s ticket to early playing time
“He was really good at guard at the Senior Bowl,” Gilmore said
“You could argue he might be too tall to play guard
but he moves well enough to get leverage against three-techniques
I think athletically he fits more at guard
but I think he’ll struggle against the more elite pass rushers there at right tackle
He can play right tackle at the next level
the Packers selected TCU receiver Savion Williams
who was picked for the game but did not participate following labrum surgery
“We did a lot of work on him,” Gilmore said
You could put together a 10-play cut-up of Savion Williams and you would think he’s the best wide receiver in the class and that his floor would be like a No
At 6-foot-3 7/8 and 222 pounds with 4.48 speed
Williams has an elite combination of size and athleticism
His production was sporadic at times due in part to TCU’s quarterback play
his shortcomings as a route-runner and his inconsistent hands
but he scored a total of 12 touchdowns and was a handful to tackle in the open field
that’s what plays in the league,” Gilmore said
Similar profile as him – very good skill-set but some inconsistencies in catching the ball
and the reliability factor is probably not what you would want
But this guy’s got every single physical tool you would want in a wide receiver.”
Day 3 started with a pair of defensive ends
Barryn Sorrell of Texas and Collin Oliver of Oklahoma State
The Senior Bowl was a big deal for both players
it was another opportunity to show his love for the game and to follow his dreams
even though his Texas teammates bowed out because of the short turnaround following their trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals
“he was the only Texas player to play in our game and we invited at least five
while it wasn’t the popular thing to do in Austin to come to Mobile
He came and he competed and he stayed throughout the whole week
I think I want to start there and just acknowledge that
I think that shows how competitive Barryn is.”
who was voted the Player of the Week by opposing offensive linemen for his work at practice
be the missing piece to Green Bay’s pass rush
With 15.5 sacks during his three seasons as a starter
but he’ll at least be a run-stopping role player
talk about a guy that can set the edge of your defense,” Gilmore said
strong tackler and plays with a lot of effort
“I think Packer fans are going to like watching this guy play on Sundays
I can’t say enough about Barryn on run downs
I don’t know what he quite gives you on third down
I think you’d probably find better edge rushers
which is kind of our next guy we’ll talk about in Collin Oliver
While Sorrell set a career high with six sacks in 16 games as a senior and finished with 15.5 sacks in 49 career games, Oliver had 11.5 sacks as a freshman and 23.5 sacks in 43 career games. He’s undersized but athletic, well-schooled and versatile.
For Oliver, the Senior Bowl was a chance to remind scouts of his talents after a broken foot limited him to only five quarters in 2024.
“He played on the ball, off the ball, did a lot of different drills,” Gilmore said. “So, he showcased his versatility while he was down in Mobile. I think the best thing this guy does is rush the passer. He was really productive at that at Oklahoma State and was on track to set records until his injury. So, a guy who’s athletic, explosive off the ball. He’s got a plan as a pass rusher.”
Oliver had 23.5 sacks and 42 tackles for losses in 43 career games. Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the first defensive player drafted, had 23 sacks and 41 tackles for losses in 42 career games. The next two edges selected in the first round, Georgia’s Mykel Williams and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, combined for 18.5 sacks and 35 tackles for losses in 77 games.
“He’s got a knack for finding the quarterback and getting to the ball,” Gilmore continued. “So, I think you start him there as a DPR [designated pass rusher]. He’s going to help you on third down but he’s good enough to provide some depth at stack (line)backer.
“He’s instinctive, and his size is better off the ball than it is on the ball. He’s kind of like a tweener body, but I would rather have him lined up as a defensive end, getting after the quarterback, doing what he does best. Again, a guy that’s going to give you versatility and, at the very least, he’s going to give you value on special teams. He’s got the temperament, size, athleticism to help you out there.”
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Defense attorney Zachary Boyd and his wife and law partner
held a press conference outside the Bell County Courthouse
Many Ramirez supporters left the Bell County Courthouse in tears and were ushered to leave by Bell County Sheriff's Office deputies
BELTON — Audible gasps could be heard throughout the courtroom when the 'not guilty of the charge of murder' was read aloud in the trial of Caysen Allison in the 146th District Court of Bell County
BELTON — Audible gasps could be heard throughout the courtroom when the "not guilty of the charge of murder" was read aloud in the trial of Caysen Allison in the 146th District Court of Bell County
After 11 hours of deliberating over the course of two days
the jury reached its decision Tuesday morning in the case against Caysen Allison
who fatally stabbed Jose “Joe” Ramirez in a Belton High School bathroom during a fight in May 2022
creed@tdtnews.com
ShareSaveCommentBusinessSportsMoneyPackers Land An ‘Escalade’ With Tackle Anthony BeltonByRob Reischel
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL.Follow AuthorApr 25
08:54pm EDTShareSaveCommentThe Green Bay Packers selected North Carolina State's Anthony Belton (74) in the second round
Brian Gutekunst has built solid offensive lines throughout his eight years as the Green Bay Packers’ general manager
And Gutekunst made another investment Friday that could keep the Packers’ line among the NFL’s best
Green Bay selected mammoth offensive tackle Anthony Belton of North Carolina State in the second round of the NFL Draft (No
has arms that are 33 7/8” and hands that are 10 ¼”
‘big doesn’t get small,’ especially when you play here in the NFC North,” said Jon-Eric Sullivan
Green Bay’s vice president of player personnel
“We play in the cold and you can wear people down as the season goes along and the elements change
“It’s kind of the way we were raised in this thing up here
we want to be able to overwhelm with size and physicality
Belton was a four-year starter at left tackle with the Wolfpack
but many scouts see him as a guard because he can engulf defenders
I kind of like to use that into my physicality,” Belton said
especially when it comes to my physicality.”
Belton’s nicknamed is “Escalade” due to his tremendous size
But his toughness and urgency have been questioned
The Packers used one of their 30 NFL Draft prospect visits on Belton
“I think he’s very versatile,” Sullivan said
I think he can play right tackle so that’s one of the things that attracted us to him is it’s a big man
thinking it will be a very good fit in the room with the guys that we have now.”
The Packers passed on players such as Georgia guard Tate Ratledge — who went three picks later to divisional rival Detroit — cornerback Trey Amos and edge rusher Mike Green and wideout Jayden Higgins
All of those players would have filled needs
Sean Rhyan and Rasheed Walker are all entering contract years
So even if Belton can’t win a starting job in 2025
he’ll improve the Packers’ depth and could step into the lineup in 2026
being a good football player is very important to him
and I think he’s going to jump in that room with the guys that we’ve got and it’s going to be fun to watch those guys compete and see what shakes out.”
Texas — Amanda Rios continues to mourn the loss of her son three years after he was stabbed to death in a Belton High School bathroom
Following the conviction of Caysen Allison on criminally negligent homicide charges
she's speaking up about what she calls "a slap on the wrist."
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: “We will continue to fight for justice for Caysen Allison” said Zachary Boyd
He killed Joe in the Bathroom,” said James Sandoval
After 2 weeks of testimony and 11 hours of a jury deliberating over the stabbing death of Joe Ramirez in a Belton high school bathroom in 2022
21-year-old Caysen Allison has been found guilty of criminally negligent homicide
they looked at the lack of all the evidence
the vital pieces that were ignored or mishandled
But a murder verdict is what the Ramirez family was hoping from court
“I hope the jury realizes they got it wrong
I hope they find out who Joe was,” said Amanda Rios
25 News Reporter Dominique Leh was the only journalist Amanda Rios sat down to talk to
“We’ve been bullied in court by the defense they’ve said so much untrue stuff about our family
the trial would be as bad as it was,” she said
She expressed her shock at the verdict and said that she feels it leaves her son without justice
all you had to do was have common sense and look at the facts,”
he was literally my best friend,” said Ali Ramirez
All that’s left for Amanda and her family is the memory they’ll carry on for a lifetime
a truth rooted in self-preservation in the face of fear and attack,” said Boyd
Dominique Leh did reach out to Caysen’s family for comment
Sentencing for Caysen is set for the next 6 to 8 weeks
Belton has rare gifts at 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds with above-average athleticism. That, however, wasn’t the first thing Tujague wanted to discuss after the Green Bay Packers selected Belton in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday.
“First and foremost, phenomenal kid. Great young man, loves his teammates,” Tujague told Packers On SI this week. “The things I love about him, like loyalty and camaraderie, are big to him.
“Every year I was here, he’d have schools trying to poach him and he never went in the portal. The coach was calling his mom, talking about money, and they’re just a very loyal family, very loyal kid, hard worker. I know for a fact his best football is still ahead of him. He knows how to work, can coach him hard. I think his best football is ahead of him. Great human being. Very good person.”
The Packers got to know Belton as a person during a predraft visit. That got to know him as a player through scouting NC State’s games as well as the Senior Bowl. Like free-agent addition Aaron Banks, Belton fits Green Bay’s mold as a big lineman with movement ability.
“To be able to do the things he does or I’ve seen him do with that body, it’s been fun,” Tujague said. “I just think it’s a rarity. All those guys at that level are pretty good athletes. Some are better than others but, man, for him to be able to move like that and be able to change direction, jump, all those things, be able to play with elite pad level, all those things have been really fun to watch and coach.”
Belton spent his first two years at Georgia Military College and redshirted at NC State in 2021. In 2022, he started eight games at left tackle. Tujague arrived at NC State in 2023 and began molding a complete player.
Before, Tujague said, Belton might not know where the tight end was lining up on any given play. Now, Belton can look at the secondary and know if they’re playing Cover-2 or man, and what that might mean for how the defensive front is going to attack.
“His football IQ, he went from a typical junior-college kid to understanding schemes, making calls to help the center identify where pressure was coming from and anticipating movement in the run game,” Tujague continued. “His IQ just skyrocketed. I think that would probably be the growth. And then literally just working on his footwork and being as solid and as sound as he could be on his footwork and hand placement was a big, big, big adjustment when I got here.”
Belton is still relatively new to the game. For as much as he improved last season – PFF cut his pressures-allowed count from 22 allowed in 2023 to 12 in 2024 – Tujague thinks there’s another gear.
“Just having a total awareness of what everybody’s doing on the field” is the next step, he said. “Some kids have been playing football since they were 4 years old, and he really didn’t start playing until high school and had to go the junior-college route. I think those are all good things as far as building toughness.
“I think it’s the most developmental position, maybe outside of quarterback. Just to be able to continue that growth as far as being able to anticipate, I think he’ll do OK. I don’t think it’ll be much of a learning curve as far as the speed and power that the NFL has, but having a good grip on the Packers’ offense and being able to anticipate at that next level, I think those are going to be strengths of his.”
Almost all of Belton’s snaps at NC State came at left tackle during the games. However, Tujague made a point to cross-train him at right tackle to get him ready for the NFL.
“I’ve talked to a lot of guys in the NFL and they say it usually takes a guy a year to become natural at it,” he said. “So, I started training him as a junior. You know he’s got the athleticism to play in the National Football League, so you want to be able to give him his best chance to do either right or left.”
So, there’d be days where 75 percent of Belton’s practice reps would come at left tackle to get him ready or Saturdays, and the other 25 percent would come at right tackle to get him ready for future Sundays.
While Belton worked “very little” at guard, Tujague thought that transition wouldn’t be too difficult.
“I think he has the power and the nastiness to play inside, but the finesse and athleticism to play on the edge,” he said. “I don’t think he’ll struggle with that at all. Working combination blocks in the run game, it’s the same playing inside or outside. And then, obviously, I think he adds value for those athletic three-techniques in the NFL that could be D-ends. He’ll be able to hold his own there in the run game and pass pro if he gets moved inside.”
NC State has produced a steady stream of NFL offensive linemen. Beyond the obvious of his athletic gifts, why will Belton be a success in the NFL?
“His eagerness to learn is going to separate him,” Tujague said. “He takes a lot of pride in knowing what to do and when to do it. And that’s changed since when I first got here. I think his ability to understand the playbook and master that, I think that’s what’s going to get him on the field early and playing.
“And again, he’s a freak athlete at that size. You just don’t see that at that size what he can do. I think the fact that Packers are interested in him enough to draft him in the second round, they’ll make sure he gets what he needs.”
Showers this evening becoming a steady light rain overnight
Condit were the first anglers to have their white bass analyzed in a 13-month study now being conducted by Temple College
the study will compare the populations of white bass in Stillhouse Hollow and Belton lakes
Condit and Scott Smith participated in the first of a planned 26 fishing trips to be conducted by Temple College through April 2026 aimed at evaluating white bass populations on both Stillhouse Hollow and Belton lakes
Dean of the Division of Natural Sciences at Temple College and managing editor for the Texas Journal of Science
we came up with a way to put researchers on the water accompanying my clients in order to gather real-time information about the fish my clients catch
Although I take proactive measures to protect the investments I have made into the high-end tackle and electronics I put into the hands of my …
It wouldn't be a Green Bay Packers draft without taking an offensive lineman
they did it earlier than expected—selecting NC State's Anthony Belton with the 54th pick
as Belton is a pure tackle prospect and heavier than the Packers typically go for at 336 pounds
Belton is tough to get around in pass protection and can generate movement in the run game
Green Bay is returning starting left tackle Rasheed Walker and is expected to let last year's first-round Jordan Morgan compete for the job as well
It's tough to say what the plan is for Belton
but he has starting upside and left tackle is one of the most important positions on the field
Here's what prominent draft analysts had to say about Belton during the pre-draft process:
you don't need to know his jersey number to spot him on film — he received the nickname "Escalade" inside the NC State program
because of the way he can move (at his best on inside zone runs)
He can get in the way as a blocker and control rushers
Belton uses his size and length to keep the game on his terms
staying centered and forcing defenders to try to go through him
his body control and footwork break down quickly
which needs to be further addressed by NFL coaching
he has the tools to get on the field and contribute
NFL.comBelton is an enormous tackle with good power and long arms
He can bulldoze the roads clean for running backs but needs to play with better hand placement to sustain his early lead
Belton has the length to shove rushers up and around the pocket but his punch timing is inconsistent and he lacks the body control to consistently respond to inside counters
If a team can steady his feet and improve his hand placement
he could become a solid starter at right tackle
but he will need some help from time to time
showcasing many of the traits he entered the season with
While there is still work to be done in his ability to get out and counter his outside shoulder against speed rushers
opponents have a tough time working around his massive frame if they are unable to win the outside arc quickly
Belton is a power-laden athlete with some dominant reps (North Carolina) in the ground game when he drives through his lower half
Aligned primarily at left tackle for the Wolfpack
Belton transferred to NC State following two years at Georgia Military Academy
Belton's size is a nightmare to work around
Combine his overall mass and footwork and pass rushers have a tough time working around his 6-foot-7 frame
He showcases quick feet at the snap and can redirect
Does a nice job of establishing his hands and controlling reps early in the play
he invites contact and will shoot his hands at varying times to keep pass rushers off balance
although Belton's mass suggests he would overpower opponents
it's a part of his evaluation that remains fluid
He is a primary zone blocker who fires off the ball well
Does an excellent job of maintaining principles up front – Belton's body is consistently in the right position
Easy maneuverability to out-leverage defenders
He is much more of a climber than a puller but has shown the footwork to get around the edge in certain scenarios
can elevate his ceiling by fine-tuning the small nuances in the ground game
Concerns remain about Belton's consistency
He's had flashes of a first-round pick in the last few years
as well as performances that force you to scratch your head and check the tape again
He has room to get stronger and I would like to see increased leg drive at contact on run plays
He's not an extremely fluid athlete when asked to work laterally
but is more than capable of shuffling and sliding at his weight
Does play over his toes a bit at times when looking to press his weight on opponents
Edge rushers who do a nice job of stacking/shedding can quickly use Belton's size against him
especially when working against much inferior opponents
Maintaining a high level of intensity no matter the skill set in front of him can showcase the true ceiling in his game
Belton touts an intriguing blend of traits that showcase one of the top tackles to know in the 2025 NFL Draft
Continued improvement in the finer details of his game
while finding his performance equilibrium will paint a better picture of his profile
Belton spent his first few seasons at the JUCO level before transferring to NC State
After sitting for one year behind a top-10 pick in Ikem Ekwonu
he took over for him at left tackle in 2022 and held that spot for the following three seasons
Belton has the length and strength to overpower defenders
He's also more explosive than most 350-pound tackles
as he can fire off the ball to find defenders at the second level or seal them off at the line of scrimmage
His raw power also gives him a good anchor in pass protection against bull rushes
He has had issues with speed rushers in the past
Even though a sixth-year prospect with as many technical issues as Belton has could put off some teams
he has the tools to become a starting-caliber tackle down the line
Anthony Belton is a three-year starter at left tackle inside N.C
zone-based run scheme with counter mixed in
Belton wins as a run blocker using his big body
long arms and heavy hands to cover up targets on angle-drive blocks with the power to displace and create rush lanes
He dents defensive tackles on double-team feeds and has flashes of very good burst to cut off the backside and intersect targets on screens
While Belton's raw athletic ability and power are impressive
clunky footwork and high pad level that oftentimes leave him late
leaning and overextended against slippery defenders and moves across his face
and knockback power to stun and engulf rushers that use power and attempt to go down the middle of him while flashing the ability to keep high-side rushers at his fingertips and widen the corner
Belton is also a force when uncovered and can cave in adjacent rushers to clear the pocket
He is inconsistent with speed moves due to shaky footwork and an overreliance on two-hand striking
which leaves him beat clean against adept counter moves
natural power and enough athletic ability to warrant being drafted
but sloppy technique and shaky recovery skills make him a high-variance dart throw worth a shot for a high-end
North Carolina State Wolfpack OT Anthony Belton has the makings of a developmental starting tackle at the NFL level
Belton meets thresholds for elite length and power
boasting road-grading ability on inside zone and gap schemes while also showcasing the linear burst and athleticism to string out the point of attack in outside zone schemes
Belton is a supersized talent who will create conflict for defenders in space
They must decide whether to run over or under his leverage
he'll offer a larger-than-usual gravitational pull
Belton lacks the same general appeal in space as a pass protector and needs further development with his punches and hand strikes to help him unlock his full potential
GREEN BAY – Anthony Belton wasn't always this big
Long before the Packers tabbed the 6-foot-6
335-pound tackle as their second-round pick (No
Belton was a skill-position player at first
Belton slowly sprouted from a receiver and defensive back in elementary school to a linebacker and tight end in middle school
Belton thought that may be where he'd settle in for a second
Until he kept growing…and growing and growing following a growth spurt that came "out of nowhere."
By the time he graduated from Florida State University High School in his hometown of Tallahassee
Belton hovered in the 290-pound range and the decision was made for him
"That's when I realized I had to play O-line
as Belton blossomed into a three-year starting left tackle for North Carolina State known for his tenacity in the run game and ability to power defensive linemen off the ball
Belton maintained his movement skills and athleticism on the offensive line
After a brief stint at Georgia Military Academy
State strength-and-conditioning coordinator
Dantonio "Coach Thunder" Burnette – both figuratively and literally
Belton's performance in speed work and agility drills earned him the nickname
"Escalade," which stuck with him throughout his time in Raleigh
"He saw I could move," said Belton of Burnette
so that's what he always told me – how smooth I could move be like an Escalade so that's what that was."
Belton started 33 of his 40 games for the Wolfpack and improved his draft stock with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in January
catapulting himself onto the Packers' radar in the process
Belton posted respectable numbers for a man his size at the NFL Scouting Combine
including a 29½-inch vertical and 8-foot-11 broad jump
Take a look at Packers T Anthony Belton during his college career at North Carolina State
The Packers liked enough of what they saw in Belton that they hosted him for a pre-draft visit
a meeting that confirmed many of their inklings about the 24-year-old offensive lineman
'Big doesn't get small,' especially when you play here in the NFC North," vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said
We want to be able to overwhelm with size and physicality
A college career that spanned six years allowed Belton to grow as an O-lineman
but he was prideful about his playstyle from the very beginning
Belton learned how to blend his size into physically overpowering his opponent
along with clips of him using his brute strength to push around trucks
The Senior Bowl served as confirmation Belton could line up across from high-quality D-linemen and dominate
and he can move people in the run game," said General Manager Brian Gutekunst
"Down at the Senior Bowl was my first real exposure to him and just seeing him and his ability to pass block
do all the things that I think Matt (LaFleur) asks our offensive line guys to do within our scheme
a lot of the movement stuff for a man his size is what drew us to him."
While Belton's length and footwork naturally align with tackle
the Packers feel he has the versatility to play guard if needed
That's in lockstep with the approach the organization has taken with recent draft picks Jordan Morgan (first round
Green Bay was incredibly healthy on the offensive line last season
with only Morgan missing extended time due to injury
The Packers saw how quickly that can change
after a shoulder injury forced Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins out of the NFC Wild Card game in Philadelphia after just four snaps
Belton is open to whatever the Packers ask of him
After a nerve-wracking wait that left him unable to eat anything before his selection
Belton couldn't be happier to land in Green Bay
And he plans to bring his Escalade mindset with him
"It is everything I dreamed of since I was a kid," Belton said
The journey I went on to just be in this position is everything I've been wanting
Green Bay has found productive offensive linemen and cornerbacks in final round
interior lineman Warren Brinson added to the mix
Two-year starter at left tackle could move inside to guard as a pro
Green Bay adds corner in final round of draft
Family flanked Packers' fourth-round pick on emotional draft day
Edge rusher earned second-team All-Big 12 honors three times
Three-year starter posted 15½ sacks from 2022-24
Competition continues to crank up at the position for Green Bay
Bigger pass catcher also ran the ball some in 2024
BELTON — Belton Independent School District named Will Yuengel as its new principal of the District Alternative Education Program — a position he is already familiar with
BELTON — Belton Independent School District named Will Yuengel as its new principal of the District Alternative Education Program — a position he is already familiar with
“Yuengel has served as the DAEP interim principal since March 2025 and was previously the DAEP assistant principal beginning in August 2022,” Candice Griffin
who served in the role for six years before accepting another position within the district.”
news@tdtnews.com
GREEN BAY – The Packers went with a big man in the second round of the draft Friday night
State offensive tackle Anthony Belton at No
335) started at left tackle for the Wolfpack over the past three seasons
He was a third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick in 2023
Belton did not give up more than three sacks in any one year
averaging a little over 400 pass-blocking snaps per season
native attended both Florida State University High School and Georgia Military Academy
Belton joins a Green Bay offensive line room that had three draft picks added last year
who is expected to compete with Rasheed Walker at left tackle this season
Growth spurt didn't rob Packers' second-round pick of his movement skills
Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight
BELTON — The jury heard from two friends of Jose “Joe” Ramirez on the third day of the state’s presentation of evidence against Caysen Tyler Allison who is accused of stabbing Ramirez during a fight in a Belton High School bathroom
BELTON — The jury heard from two friends of Jose “Joe” Ramirez on the third day of the state’s presentation of evidence against 21-year-old Caysen Tyler Allison
who is accused of stabbing Ramirez during a fight in a Belton High School bathroom almost three years ago
The 18-year-old high school student died on May 3
at a local hospital after allegedly being stabbed by Allison and collapsing in a hallway
Allison’s defense team is presenting a case of self-defense
BELTON — Jury deliberations continued late into the evening Monday night in the murder trial of Caysen Allison with no verdict delivered
Jurors were sequestered with deliberations scheduled resume at 9 a.m
and North Carolina State’s returning starter at left tackle
was manhandling teammates during a team-run period
the team’s director of strength and conditioning
“I started calling him the ‘Big Escalade’ and it stuck
and the majority of the guys called him that as a nickname
as well,” Burnette told Packers On SI on Saturday morning
one day after the Green Bay Packers selected Belton in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft
“The genesis behind that nickname is that Anthony Belton
336-pound guy – that is very smooth and is an excellent bender
that’s wild that a big guy can move that well and be smooth while still doing it
he was out there killing the guy that he was going against
It was just one of those nicknames that I came up with.”
Belton said of Burnette – aka Coach Thunder
a nickname stemming from his days as a hard-hitting linebacker at NC State: “He drives an Escalade himself so that’s what he always told me – how smooth I could move be like an Escalade
Belton went from a zero-star recruit who spent two seasons at Georgia Military College to a 32-game starter at left tackle for the Wolfpack
and I think a lot of that comes from him being a former basketball player
He has some really good feet and things like that
said Belton was “naturally good” at keeping his weight in a good spot
Burnette noted Belton was 336 pounds at the Scouting Combine
A couple weeks later at NC State’s pro day
“I will say he does a really good job of managing his weight
and we’ve done a really good job of working with him,” Burnette said
“He’s a guy that when he hones in on staying at a certain weight
vertical jump and 20-yard shuttle ranked in the vicinity of the 75th percentile
“He’s one of the bigger guys that I’ve had as it pertains to height and weight but
it’s amazing how athletic he is,” Burnette said
that goes back to him playing multiple sports as a kid and being a really good basketball player
I think one of the reasons why he was such a late bloomer at football was because he was all about basketball until he started playing football.”
Belton started at left tackle for three seasons
he allowed three sacks and 12 total pressures
PFF charged him with two sacks and 22 total pressures in 2023
his size and power are on full display at the point of attack in his hunger for pancakes
power” and play “big-man football,” as general manager Brian Gutekunst said after making the pick
this marks the fourth consecutive year in which it’s had a lineman drafted
with Belton being the earliest since Ikem Ekwonu went No
The Wolfpack have had 21 draft picks overall the last seven years
Why will Belton maximize his prodigious tools
“I think he’s going to be a success because he has some really good people surrounding him,” Burnette said
“He’s always been one of those guys that have never got caught up hanging around the wrong crowd
Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBELTON
(KCTV) - Law enforcement officials continue to search for a driver behind a fatal hit-and-run crash on a Missouri highway west of Belton
The Missouri State Highway Patrol indicates that just before 4:45 a.m
emergency crews were called to the area of Holmes Rd
and Missouri Highway 58 with reports of a fatal hit-and-run collision
they said they found an unknown vehicle had been headed north with a trailer in tow when the driver lost control and crossed the centerline
The suspect vehicle collided head-on with a southbound 2003 Toyota Corolla driven by a 39-year-old Grandview man
State Troopers indicated that the impact caused the Toyota to veer off the right side of the highway
the driver of the suspect vehicle took off
Emergency crews said the Grandview man was pronounced deceased at the scene
It remains unknown if he had been wearing a seatbelt at the time
Investigators noted that the Toyota was totaled as a result
The driver responsible for the incident remains at large
Texas (KXXV) — A Bell County jury has found Caysen Allison not guilty of murder but was instead convicted of criminally negligent homicide
Allison had been on trial for the 2022 stabbing death of Joe Ramirez at Belton High School
included testimony from several witnesses called by the state
including investigators who detailed their interactions with Allison following the incident
Witnesses for both sides also focused heavily on recordings of Allison’s police interrogation
146th District Court Judge Wade Faulkner instructed the jury to consider three specific charges during deliberations:
Allison faces a sentence ranging from five to 99 years in prison
The Green Bay Packers added another piece to the offensive line when they selected North Carolina State offensive tackle Anthony Belton at No
54 overall in the second round of the 2025 draft
Belton is an older prospect at 24 years old
He tested well in the pre-draft process and is now headed to Green Bay
possibly to compete for playing time right away at tackle or guard
Instant reactions to the Packers taking Belton at No
The Packers love Belton's combination of size
especially after he started 33 games at left tackle for North Carolina State
The Packers -- who have six offensive linemen they think can start in 2025 -- took him at No
Brian Gutekunst clearly sees offensive line as a big need considering the contract statuses of Zach Tom
It's possible Belton could be a starter at left tackle or guard as soon as 2026
The Packers signed Aaron Banks to a big deal in free agency and now drafted Belton in the second round -- this offensive front is getting BIG
If Belton is a good player and future starter
no one will really care about taking him here
But this still appears to be at least a round early for a 24-year-old who spent six years in the college ranks
is probably as good as gone in free agency next spring
Brandon CarwileDefinitely thought the Packers might go corner at 54 with Trey Amos and Shavon Revel Jr
still on the board—both had top-30 visits with Green Bay
the Packers are one of the best in the league at developing offensive linemen
with tons of experience at left tackle and polished footwork and hand usage
Not sure what this means for Rasheed Walker or Jordan Morgan
but Green Bay now has plenty of options to protect Jordan Love’s blindside
Anthony Belton is heavier (336 pounds) than they typically like
Belton finished his career at NC State with 32 career starts at left tackle
He has good foot quickness and surprisingly good movement skills for a man his size
The tools are all there to develop into a franchise left tackle
The Packers got Jordan Love a weapon in the first round and got him a protector in round two
Texas (KXXV) — The Texas Department of Transportation and its contractor have closed the outside northbound mainlane of Interstate 35 near Veterans Way to begin bridge repairs
TxDOT officials stated that the lane will reopen as soon as possible
but motorists should expect delays in the area
Drivers are advised to exercise caution and plan for extra travel time
– The Green Bay Packers signed 325-pound Aaron Banks to play left guard
the former ESPN draft guru and the author of The McShay Report
Belton was a three-year starting left tackle at North Carolina State. He thought taking Belton in the second was “too high” but understood the pick
arm length of a tackle – not great arm length but arm length of a tackle,” he continued
I thought he was surprisingly light on his feet in a short area
He’s got the frame to withstand the bull rush
Belton was exclusively a left tackle for the Wolfpack, but position coach Garett Tujague made sure he got plenty of work at right tackle at practice to help get him ready for the NFL. He played well at guard at the Senior Bowl, though.
The Packers, as is typically the case for their linemen, don’t have a preconceived spot for Belton. They’ll shuffle him around in the quest to find the best combination.
“I wouldn’t say he has to be somewhere” as a rookie, McShay said. “I think that maybe as a rookie, guard might be the best spot, and then you develop him and see if you can kick him back outside to tackle. But it wouldn’t shock me if he’s Week 1 starter at guard.”
Incumbent right guard Sean Rhyan, who was in a timeshare with last year’s first-round pick, Jordan Morgan, for the first half of last season, played well in 17 starts but not so well that he’s irreplaceable. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, so there’s a potential spot for Belton to start right away.
“I think he’s landing in a really good place. The development of offensive linemen in Green Bay has always been really good,” McShay said. He assumed the Packers saw the same, fixable issues on tape that he saw.
“I see a guy who can get a little sloppy with his technique and he needs some refinement,” McShay said. “But he’s a career left tackle. When I was done with his report, I was like ‘kick inside to guard, maybe right tackle.’”
While Morgan didn’t love the idea of playing at guard after starting at left tackle at Arizona, Belton seems to be embracing whatever’s ahead.
“I’m pretty comfortable with that,” Belton said of playing guard after being drafted. “Just my mindset, I’m a competitor and I’m a ball-player. I want to put myself in a position where I’m out there being one of the five out there. If it’s at guard, I’m going to figure out how to be the best version of myself at guard. My mindset, I’m going in there as a competitor, I just want to play ball and I want to be in a position to be out there on that field.”
GREEN BAY – Brian Gutekunst hasn’t forgotten the last time he watched his team play a game
The Green Bay Packers offensive line was dominated in the NFC wild-card playoff loss at the Philadelphia Eagles
the offense couldn’t keep Jordan Love’s jersey clean
and things weren’t much better when the Eagles defensive front failed to reach Love
The line was called for four holding penalties
An offseason often reveals what a team thinks about itself entering the next season, specifically who it must beat to reach its goals. With a young quarterback, the Packers can’t afford to let protection be an issue
no matter how prodigious Love is in avoiding sacks
With Josh Jacobs forming the identity of coach Matt LaFleur’s offense
and with 33⅞-inch arms he gives the Packers positional flexibility they want in an offensive lineman
The length to play tackle and the size to play guard
Add the Packers signing of Aaron Banks (6-5
The Packers believe they have a Super Bowl-contending roster
They know the Philadelphia Eagles stand in their way
“I think you look at some of the teams when you’re talking about the NFC North
or you’re just talking about the NFC in general as you get into the playoffs,” Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said
“some of the defensive fronts that you face
I think you’ve got to have guys that can hold up
We look for guys that can play big-man ball and sustain versus power and do those kind of things
Because you’re going to play against powerful
especially the deeper you go into the playoffs
Whether Belton contributes immediately as a rookie remains to be seen
The Packers essentially redshirted 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan
who missed much of last season with a shoulder injury
there will be plenty of competition for snaps
The Packers were clearly intent on stacking their offensive line as much as possible this spring
the Packers have left the defense untouched through the first two rounds
choosing instead to build around their young quarterback
It’s only the second time in Gutekunst’s eight drafts he has used his first two picks to acquire offensive players
“Obviously we’ve got a young quarterback that we really like,” Sullivan said
“and we need to make sure that we’re protecting him first and foremost
with what we did in free agency with Banks
what we did with a second-round pick in Anthony Belton
we’ve got to make sure that we’re keeping (Love) upright and healthy
“Then I think anytime you’re thinking about skill
you want to make sure you’re giving Matt (LaFleur) flexibility to attack all different levels of the field
I think a guy like (Matthew) Golden does that
and he’s got tremendous ball skills and hands
Texas — Both sides took their turn making opening arguments on the first day of the murder trial of Caysen Allison
He's accused of stabbing and killing Belton High School classmate Joe Ramirez in 2022
That was the sentiment from family and friends of Joe Ramirez
prosecutors played five phone calls made to 9-1-1
Four were made by staff and students on school grounds
including some who told dispatchers there was “lots of blood in the main hallway.”
A student leaving the school told 9-1-1 that they could see Allison running through the parking lot and driving away
prosecutors also showed video surveillance from inside the school the morning the stabbing happened
It shows Jose Ramirez and a few friends walking into the boys' bathroom
and Allison walking in with one of his friends moments later
The victim and his friends run out before taking off through the hallways
The video goes on to show Ramirez turning the corner and stumbling to the ground
with blood tracking down the school’s main hallway
The school's director of safety and security told the court that’s when the campus went into lockdown and teachers and nurses were seen giving lifesaving efforts
A nearby teacher also testified about hearing "really loud yelling and banging” and then witnessed
“a student had a hand on his chest and blood drops on the floor”
She also told the jury she “told a custodian to not clean up the blood because it was a crime scene”
said he wants people to remember Joe as a sweet
25 News reporter Dominique Leh asked Sandoval what it was like for him to see the video of his friend losing his life
emotions were high when that video was going
the fact that you can just watch him bleed out,” he said
the defense said Caysen was in the fight of his life and that he was jumped by five classmates
calling it a “group beat down.” They also say that while we mourn Ramirez “we’re not here to feel sorry for a victim” and that “nothing good happens in a boys' bathroom.”
Testimony is set to continue at the Bell County Justice Center on Tuesday morning
Light rain this evening with thunderstorms by morning
BELTON — Belton City Council authorized the issuance of certificates of obligation worth $17.7 million that will help fund several projects outlined in the 2025-29 Capital Improvements Program during its meeting Tuesday
BELTON — Belton City Council authorized the issuance of certificates of obligation worth $17.7 million that will help fund several projects outlined in the 2025-29 Capital Improvements Program
Those future costs include a 25% share of the $71.2 million expansion of the Temple-Belton Wastewater Treatment Plant at $17.8 million
$1.8 million for vital improvements to the primary Belton lift station force main
$2.3 million for utility relocation as part of the second phase of the Loop 121 expansion project
$1.7 million for a new Belton Fire Department ladder truck and $750,000 for the purchase of Miller Heights Elementary
jvalley@tdtnews.com
a Digital Content Producer with 25 News KXXV and 15 ABC KRHD
Texas (KXXV) — One man is dead and two others are hospitalized following an overnight shooting on Interstate 14 in Belton
Officers responded to multiple 911 calls around 2:41 a.m
reporting a vehicle stopped in the middle of the eastbound lanes near mile marker 297
between the Simmons Road and George Wilson Road exits
officers found three people inside the vehicle
The backseat passenger was pronounced dead at the scene
The driver and front-seat passenger were transported to Scott & White Medical Center in Temple
Their conditions were not immediately released
Investigators believe the shots were fired from another vehicle that pulled up alongside the victims' car
police closed the eastbound lanes of I-14 at Nolanville Hill
Officials said the highway is expected to reopen within the hour
The names of the victims have not been released
The Green Bay Packers sprung a surprise on night two of the 2025 NFL draft, selecting NC State’s Anthony Belton at No
given that Belton was ranked much lower on the consensus big board
but what did Green Bay see in the offensive tackle
At 6-6 even and 336 pounds with 34 ⅝” arms
which clearly appealed to the Packers as they made a concerted effort to make their offensive line more physical this offseason
Belton actually played at closer to 360 pounds in 2024
and he represents a significant outlier relative to the types of offensive linemen Brian Gutekunst has usually drafted
with Sean Rhyan previously the heaviest at 321 pounds
vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan told the media: “We want to be big across the front
We want to be able to overwhelm with size and physicality.”
Belton is a good athlete and earned the nickname "Escalade" in college for his smooth movement ability at his size
Belton earned a 7.75 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) with "good" scores for explosion and agility
Belton had an average PFF pass protection grade of 80
His 87.3 grade in 2024 bettered all but two offensive tackles drafted in this class; Wyatt Milum and Kelvin Banks Jr
He ranked 48th in the FBS for pass block efficiency in 2024 out of 346 qualified tackles
Belton’s grades in the run game are not as strong
especially for someone so physically imposing
He had eight penalties in each of the last three seasons and was kicked out of a game in 2024 for spitting at his opponent
Despite only playing left tackle in college
Belton projects to have the versatility to play everywhere but center along the offensive line
There are pros and cons to Belton’s age – 24 years old – as he is essentially maxed out physically and will not develop any further
but should be ready to compete and potentially start in the NFL right away
Belton’s best strength is his power in pass protection
You will not see him get knocked back by a defender’s initial contact
Bull rush attempts come to a halt before they can become a factor for the quarterback
and Belton has a strong anchor with torque in his body to stay balanced
Even NFL rushers are going to have a very difficult time having success by trying to go through Belton
he noticed the defender across from him was going to rush inside and just smashed him into the next defender
Sullivan told the media: “He can dominate versus power
his ability to anchor and just play big man football
You’re not going to see him in the quarterback’s lap too often.”
The Packers often talk about feet being what they look for most in a tackle
and it is easy to see why they liked Belton in that regard
He keeps them moving quickly and will rework them to maintain a wide base and hold up versus power
stay engaged while a defender tries to shake loose from his grasp or redirect to answer a late inside counter
Belton has enough quickness to burst off the line and stop opponents beating him to the edge
he can take a big first step in his pass set to cut off their runway
he shows the ability to adjust his feet and get back outside fast enough to engage a defender before it is too late
to steer them all the way around the back of the quarterback
He also shows awareness for where his QB is late in the rep
able to adjust his body if he starts to flee the pocket and give him a lane
Toeing the line between timing up the snap of the ball without false starting has become a real weapon in the NFL
Belton has powerful arms which can be an asset in both the pass and run game
He can get his arms outside of a defender and control them in pass pro
he can get his big mitts on opponents and physically move them out of the way to open up holes
While moving laterally he can use one arm to hold onto a defender then the other to turn them and wall them out of the play
His movement skills are useful in the run game
and this is likely something the Packers really valued
If the coaches ask him to go ‘get’ someone on a run play
he can quickly get half a gap over and seal off run lanes
When blocking on the move he showed the ability to wall one defender off
then reach up to the second level and get a piece of another
he can go clear a path for the running back at the second level
Belton is capable of getting out on the edge and making blocks in space
and can also wash opponents out of the play when crashing down the line of scrimmage
On Belton’s impressive movement skills for his size
Gutekunst said: “A lot of the movement stuff for a man his size is what drew us to him.”
One of Belton’s best traits is his demeanour
He looks for work and finds someone to hit
frequently taking opponents to the ground and ending the play on top of them
This helps him when defenders cross his face
as he is often able to send them to the turf to solve the problem
Hand usage is Belton’s biggest issue in pass pro
He lets rushers into his chest too willingly
probably because he feels comfortable in those situations due to his size advantage
but it is twitchy or crafty rushers who give him problems
The quick twitch guys can slip away from him and the craftsmen can beat him with hand usage
Belton is especially vulnerable to a push/pull move
Belton fared well against bigger rushers like Landon Jackson and Jah Joyner
as well as getting the better of nose tackle Jamaree Caldwell in the run game multiple times
but smaller rushers like Donovan Ezeiruaku
Mike Green and David Walker gave him issues
Belton needs to improve his hand usage to keep these types of defenders under control once he’s engaged with them or stop them from swatting his hands down and beating him around the edge
Belton could be much more in control and dominant as a pass protector with more consistent hand placement
Due to not being the most explosive player
he can get behind off the line against speed rushers
and because he feels the need to get out on the edge
he can overset and then lacks the body control to adjust back the other way to deal with quick inside moves
When his back chip blocks a defender he is engaged with
it actually throws him off as he has to adjust his body and often is not able to
Belton allows defenders to set the edge against him and does not move them off the spot as much as he should be able to
He can give up ground on the initial contact and too often ends up in the picture for the running back trying to get upfield
can get caught lunging at opponents and end up on the ground
After landing his initial hit out in space
he can struggle to latch on and the defender can slip away and end up making the tackle anyway
He will have to manage his weight at the next level
Playing at 360 lbs is not going to be sustainable
and Belton will need to stay around the weight he was at the combine
Belton has the ability to play tackle if needed
but is likely to be better inside in the NFL
and should be able to compete to be the starting right guard for Green Bay as a rookie
but it is also completely understandable why the Packers valued his skill set highly and felt comfortable with him in round two
Texas (KXXV) — Court proceedings started slow Wednesday morning in the murder trial of Caysen Allison
Allison is accused of stabbing and murdering former Belton High classmate Joe Ramirez in 2022
A witness spoke on the stand for more than an hour and a half on Wednesday
was in the bathroom at the time of the fight
The majority of the answers to the questions he was asked were
At one point the defense asked him if he was so traumatized that he "blocked everything out”
Another witness to take the stand was in the bathroom during the fight and claims he didn’t know any of the students in the bathroom
He was just in there to use the bathroom and get out
He testified that on his way out of the bathroom
This comes after the defense previously said on Tuesday that “the lock on the door in the boys' bathroom plays a pivotal role in this investigation.”
Joe’s brother Joshua Rios also took the stand Wednesday morning
He testified that on the Saturday before the fight
he witnessed Caysen being “inappropriate” with Joshua’s date from afar
That’s where he said Joe stepped in and there was a verbal altercation
he was later added to a Snapchat group chat that contained the details of a fight
He says there was a message from Caysen telling Joe the two would fight in West Temple Park in the woods
But Joshua also testified that Joe didn’t want to fight Caysen at the park
Joshua testified that on the morning of May 3
he learned about an argument in the parking lot between Caysen and Joe
But later he headed to the bathroom to meet Joe like he says they always do after first period
He says he had no knowledge of a fight because the fight was still in the planning stages
the video shows Joshua lunging towards Caysen’s friend
Joshua claims the reasoning behind that is because he saw Caysen’s friend take off his backpack and appear to head towards Joe
After the two one-on-one fights and Joe ran out of the bathroom
Joshua testified he saw blood all over the bathroom and asked Caysen if he stabbed Joe
several times the defense asked for a mistrial
but those requests were denied by the judge
Joshua Rios was the last to take the stand
The trial is set to continue Thursday at 9 a.m
Witness testimony from day two of the trial can be found in our previous coverage
Opening arguments from day one of the trial can be found in our previous coverage
– The Green Bay Packers used their second-round pick
on North Carolina Sate offensive tackle Anthony Belton on Friday
here’s where he was ranked by draft analysts
ESPN: No
From Steve Muench: Belton is a three-year starting left tackle who had a strong Senior Bowl
He's a massive mauler with the strength to move defenders off the ball
and he blocks relentlessly until the whistle in the run game
Belton also has some upside as a pass blocker because he's quick enough to meet speed rushers and strong enough to anchor if his feet are set
He looks to help on the line and can annihilate defenders with a powerful punch when no one comes to him
From Dane Brugler’s The Beast: “Belton uses his size and length to keep the game on his terms
he has the tools to get on the field and contribute.”
Consensus Big Board at Mock Draft Database: No
Pro Football Focus: No
From PFF’s draft preview: “Belton has the length and strength to overpower defenders
He's also more explosive than most 350-pound tackles
He has had issues with speed rushers in the past.”
From Lance Zierlein
who had a third-round projection: “Belton is an enormous tackle with good power and long arms
Belton has the length to shove rushers up and around the pocket but his punch timing is inconsistent and he lacks the body control to consistently respond to inside counters.”
Part of his scouting report: “With refinement
Belton has a degree of upside at tackle or guard
nor does he have elite recalibration flexibility
he may exist more naturally in OL-friendly schemes where help is often available.”
How will Anthony Belton fit with the #Packers? @JacobWestendorf has the answer.https://t.co/wmKojGIIXd
the son of the Martha “Polly” Belton and the late Ellis Belton
called home Ellis Jefferson Belton to rest from his journey here on earth
or “Jeff” as he was affectionately known
received his early education in the public schools of Richland School District One
After completing studies at Midlands Technical College
he worked for Washington Inventory Services (WIS) and Husqvarna as a manufacturing lead
He also worked alongside his father in his plumbing business
Jeff enjoyed playing baseball with the Blythewood Hawks
and spending time with his family making joyful memories
He will be deeply missed as his jokes and dancing brought light to every moment of our lives
his loving and kind spirit will forever live in the hearts and lives of all those who loved and knew him
He leaves to cherish precious memories his beloved wife of twenty-four (24) years
Theresa Belton; three loving and cherished daughters
Ja’yla and Tellisa; his loving mother
Judy Belton of Columbia; father and mother-in-law
Clarence Brown; brothers in-law, Angelo and Anton Brown; and a host of uncles
cousins and other loving relatives and dear friends
all of whom join the family in sharing the grief caused by his departure
Belton is a road grader who can kick into guard if he doesn’t stick at left tackle
The Green Bay Packers have selected back-to-back pre-draft visitors
turning in their second-round draft choice for North Carolina State offensive tackle Anthony Belton
Belton played almost exclusively at left tackle for the Wolfpack
only lining up at right tackle in unbalanced sets during his college career
Belton was projected to be a third-round selection for most of this draft cycle, but was mocked in the second round as we got closer to the draft. He’s a big, road-grading offensive lineman 6’6” and 336 pounds. We wrote up a full scouting report on Belton earlier in this cycle
Here’s what Belton’s selection boils down to: He might not have the footwork to stick at left tackle
meaning that he and Jordan Morgan will probably battle it out for the future of the left tackle and right guard positions
Rasheed Walker is going into the final year of his rookie contract, and based on the team making two tackle selections in the last two drafts, it’s unlikely that the team will pay the $20 million per price tag that would likely come with extending Walker — following the Dan Moore deal that the Tennessee Titans pulled the trigger on this offseason
The Packers selected North Carolina State left tackle Anthony Belton with the No
54 pick in the second round of the NFL Draft
Belton first attended Georgia Military College and later earned the nickname “Escalade” during his three years starting for the Wolfpack for his size and mobility
Don't miss our team's comprehensive coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft
Our Day 2 live blog features pick-by-pick grades and expert analysis
Best available players: Who's left from Dane Brugler's top 300
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman grade the Day 2 selections
A running list of picks
'The Athletic Football Show': Watch live reaction to the draft
Belton lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Robert Anae’s zone-blocking scheme
After two years at Georgia Military College (where he was teammates with YaYa Diaby)
he transferred to the Wolfpack and entrenched himself as the starting left tackle the past three seasons
you don’t need to know his jersey number to spot him on film — he received the nickname “Escalade” inside the NC State program because of the way he can move (at his best on inside zone runs)
Packers second-round pick Anthony "Escalade" Belton has some crazy strength 💪
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— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025
336 pounds with great length and the ability to move people at the point of attack
this feels like a bit of a reach here in the second round as I’m not sure Belton will be fast enough to handle speed off the edge in the NFL
I also thought there were better tackles on the board
We’ll see if he can win a job right away in Green Bay
Belton stands a hulking 6-6 and 336 pounds while playing only left tackle at NC State
but Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said Friday that Belton can play both tackle spots and both guard spots
That should help him contribute as a rookie
likely not as a starter but as an important depth piece on an offensive line that needed better depth on the interior
The Packers might also need a left tackle next year if they don’t re-sign Rasheed Walker and 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan doesn’t work at left tackle after his expected trial run there this offseason and preseason
After the Packers’ offensive line (both the starters and reserves) looked like Swiss cheese against the Eagles in the playoffs
even if it didn’t seem like one of their primary needs
Sullivan emphasized the need to keep quarterback Jordan Love upright when discussing the pick
Though Love’s sack numbers were impressive last season — the Packers ranked third in sack percentage allowed
according to TruMedia — he did a good job of avoiding sacks himself under pressure
And if the Packers want to get back to running under-center play action that takes time to develop
they need to protect Love for longer with a clean pocket
the Packers could also have considered a few players who would bolster an inconsistent pass rush — Marshall edge rusher Mike Green
Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner
Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander or Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch
who recently took a pre-draft visit to Green Bay
This may not be the flashy pass rusher or cornerback fans wanted
but the Packers will always make sure their offensive line is well-stocked
General manager Brian Gutekunst has taken three offensive linemen in four of the last five drafts and — surprise — he adds to the group again with another guy who can play multiple spots up front
Matt Schneidman is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Green Bay Packers. He is a proud alum of The Daily Orange student newspaper at Syracuse University. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattschneidman