Veteran walk-on TE with NFL-level burst, but recent injuries have slowed the climb
Joey Beljan entered Cincinnati as a seasoned, physical tight end with a real story: a walk-on who built a productive Western Kentucky career, including 29 catches, 282 yards, and 10 touchdowns, then brought that red-zone savvy to the Bearcats. His calling card is efficiency and athletic upside — he reportedly posted the top 40-yard dash among tight ends at the 2025 UFL Showcase — but injuries have interrupted his momentum, including missed time in 2023 and limited action in 2024. If your team wants a TE with toughness, experience, and special-teams/goal-line value, he’s intriguing; if you need a high-volume receiving weapon, he’s more projection than proven volume.
