Ottawa adds special teams ace Frank Beltre

Photo courtesy: Ottawa Redblacks

The Ottawa Redblacks have signed American defensive lineman Frank Beltre, who led the CFL with 27 special teams tackles in 2019.

Beltre played for the Towson University Tigers from 2009 to 2012. He appeared in 45 games and started 40 of them. He was named first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association during his final two seasons, third-team all-Colonial Athletic Association as a sophomore and the Tigers’ special teams player of the year in 2009.

Beltre recorded 232 total tackles, including 38 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his time at Towson University.

Professionally, Beltre signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2013 before joining the Oakland Raiders in 2014. After being released, Beltre signed with the Calgary Stampeders from 2014 to 2016. He played for New York Jets in 2017, before returning north to the Toronto Argonauts for the past two seasons.

In five seasons in the CFL, Beltre recorded 70 defensive tackles, 40 tackles on special teams, five sacks and forced three fumbles in 50 games. 2019 was his best year in the Canadian Football League, recording 35 defensive tackles.