Career: Totaled 24 career starts and played in 37 games overall ... A versatile lineman who could play center or guard ... Gained valuable experience at the center position in 2005 when Trevor Rees was unable to play ... One of team's top competitors ... Good drive blocker.
2008: Fifth-year senior ... Started at right guard vs. Syracuse and Ohio after starting every game in 2007 ... Played in a reserve role in seven other games.
2007: Starting right guard ... Played a key role in NU's offense, which led the Big Ten (regular season) in total yards.
2006: Started at right offensive guard seven times ... Missed the Purdue game following the death of his father earlier in the week (Oct. 9) ... Returned the following week and started against Michigan State.
2005: Played in eight games and started three ... Played center and guard, making all three starts at center (vs. Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan) ... In his first two collegiate starts, helped the Wildcats total 603 (vs. Purdue) and 533 (vs. Michigan State) offensive yards.
2004: Did not see action.
High School: A two-time all-Ohio, all-Suburban League and two-time all-district honoree ... An AP second-team All-Ohio Division II offensive line selection in 2003 ... Named to OhioPrepScene.com Division II All-Ohio team ... Also named to all-star teams by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon-Journal, Medina Gazette and Wooster Daily Record, Fortune Football and SuperPrep ... As a defensive tackle, totaled 261 career tackles, 23 career sacks and nine forced fumbles ... Had 81 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries his senior year ... Offensively, had a blocking percentage of 96 percent to go along with 117 pancakes ... Totaled 24 tackles, one sack and 11 pancakes in a single game (vs. Norton) his senior year ... Also had 16 tackles, three sacks and 17 pancakes in one contest (vs. Revere) ... Played in 2004 Ohio North-South All-Star game ... Also competes in the shot put and discus on the Colts' track and field team ... Captain for both football and track and field ... A two-time regional finalist in the shot and discus ... Twice named to all-star track teams by the Plain Dealer, Medina Gazette and Beacon-Journal ... Holds the school shot put record (54'4") ... Coached by Kevin Gault.
Personal: Born Joel Richard Belding ... Son of Debora Belding and the late Jack Belding ... Chose NU over Minnesota, Illinois and Boston College ... Communication studies major.
Belding's Career Statistics
PARTICIPATION G2005................ 82006................ 82007................ 122008................ 9TOTAL............... 37