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He saw action in nine games as a true freshman, quite an accomplishment for any college player, and saw his playing time increase during his sophomore campaign.
By the end of his junior season, Balmer was a starter and was quickly becoming one of the best defensive linemen on the UNC roster. He was elected team captain by his teammates prior to his senior season and was named to the All-ACC second team at the conclusion of his career as a Tar Heel.
All of that makes for an impressive resume for any athlete, not to mention an athlete from 1A Weldon High. But Balmer isn't done yet - as far as football goes, his career is just getting started.
Currently, the 6-5, 295-pound defensive linemen is in Los Angeles preparing for the next level. Since the end of the season, Balmer has been on the West Coast, not taking in the sites and sounds of La-La Land but rising at 5:30 a.m. to work out at Pro-Active sports with other NFL prospects.
Balmer's day includes running, weight lifting, conditioning and football drills, all of which are geared to prepare prospects for individual workouts, the scouting combine and the various Pro-Days held at their respective universities. With the NFL Draft three months away, Balmer is trying to get the most out of his time in California and make himself better.
“I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and maximize my abilities,” he said in a recent phone interview. “I'm trying to get the best out of myself and put myself in a better position to get to the next level.”
Balmer has been on the scouts' radar all season. He has gone up and down Mel Kiper Jr.'s “Big Draft Board” and was recently listed as the 26th best prospect on Scouts Inc. All the mock drafts have him going on the first day, and some publications list Balmer as the third best defensive tackle prospect in the class of 2008.
So does the future pro pay any attention to what the “expects” think? “I'd be lying if I said I wasn't aware of it,” he said. “But nothing is guaranteed. Nobody knows what's going on in the minds of those GMs and those scouts.”
What those scouts and GMs do know right now is that Balmer finished his career strong at UNC. Balmer said his time in Chapel Hill prepared him to take the next step.
“I had a lot of great coaches. I had coach Ken Browning, and probably the best defensive line coach in the country, John Blake. It really helped out a lot, then having coach (Butch) Davis in my corner, helping me lead a team .... those guys taught me how to become a complete player on and off the field, just what it takes to be the best player possible.”
One of his biggest accomplishments was being named team captain in his final season as a Tar Heel.
“The team votes for captains,” Balmer explained. “It just shows my team thought a lot of me, so once I heard I was going to be a captain I knew I wasn't going to let those guys down.”
Balmer said he has talked with former Tar Heels and current NFL players such as David Thornton, Willie Parker and Alge Crumpler, who have all given him pointers and advice about playing in the NFL.
Surprisingly, the guy Balmer mentioned when asked who he wants to pattern his game after is not a former Tar Heel.
“The guy I like to watch is (New England Patriots defensive linemen) Richard Seymour,” Balmer said. “He is a beast. He plays defensive end and tackle and I would like to pattern my game after him.”
All he can do right now is work hard and wait until the big day. In between time, Balmer will be playing in the Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 26, after which he will head back to California and wait until the scouting combines and the UNC Pro Day.
The Senior Bowl and the week of practice leading up to the game is a time when prospects can really improve their stock. It gives players an opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of NFL personnel all week.
It also gives a guy like Balmer a chance to show players from all over the country what he can do.
“I'm excited,” he said. “I'm looking at it like it's a challenge. That's what you want. It's going to be game that's going to help me get ready for the next level by playing the best competition out there. I'm really looking forward to it.”
And chances are a lot of residents of Weldon will not only be watching the Senior Bowl, but also the NFL Draft on April 26. Balmer knows whatever city he will be playing in next season, he will be carrying the torch for the city of Weldon.
“A lot of people always believed in me from the area,” he explained. “Hopefully by making it to the next level I will make those people happy.”
But to Balmer, if he makes it to the NFL, he wants the young people to look at what he did and realize they can be successful, and not just in sports. “Hopefully I can show the younger generation around there that the sky is the limit,” he said.
“If you put in your time and stay humble and stay committed to working toward your craft no matter what it is you are doing, whether it's football or business, anything you do in life, I want them to know the sky is the limit. There are no boundaries just because you are from Weldon. You can do anything anybody else can do.”
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