For all his accomplishments at those positions, however, most of the schools that ultimately recruited Balestracci were interested in him as a linebacker.

"I was kind of big for a safety, and I could only get bigger," Balestracci said. "I kind of miss playing quarterback. But it feels a lot better to dish out the hits than it does to be the one sitting back there taking them. So I don't mind that."

When it came time to move up to the college ranks, Balestracci decided to focus on football, which he admits is his favorite sport. Nevertheless, he might easily have pursued a career in any of his three sports.

"I'm kind of happy that I've finally been able to concentrate on one sport and put all my effort into that," Balestracci said. "I haven't been able to do that before now."

Local Kid Stays Local

The college recruiters came knocking on Balestracci's door very early on in his high school days. Ultimately, though, the choice came down to Brown--his father's alma mater--and Harvard.

All it took was one visit to Cambridge and Balestracci was sold on joining up with the Crimson. What impressed him most about Harvard, he says, is how seriously the school takes football.

"This program is second-to-none as far as I am concerned," Balestracci said.

Once he arrived here, it did not take Balestracci long to make an impact. He also immediately noticed a major difference between the high school and college levels.

"The game is so much quicker than in high school," Balestracci said. "I was a little nervous about learning the system, being so much closer to the ball than I was at safety. Things happen so much quicker [at linebacker]."

If he was apprehensive about making his first college start, he certainly didn't show it. Balestracci made 10 tackles in Harvard's opener against Holy Cross.

Since that impressive debut, Balestracci has steadily improved his game and successfully made a seamless transition to the college level.

"The D-line in front of me made it so much easier," Balestracci said. "They've taken care of blocks and haven't let guys get to me. They've definitely helped me make the transition."

In perhaps his best game to date, at Dartmouth on Oct. 28 Balestracci picked off two passes and ran them back for touchdowns to help lift the Crimson over the Big Green, 49-7. In the process, Balestracci became the first player in Harvard history to return a pair of picks for scores in one game.

Balestracci was awarded Ivy Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

"I had never run an interception for a touchdown before in a game," Balestracci said. "To get two in the same game was unbelievable."