Catching Up With The Signees: A.J. Beatty
A.J. Beatty is ready to finally step foot in Chapel Hill.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end out of Pittsburgh, PA, originally committed to North Carolina on June 9, 2019, before signing for the Tar Heels last December. Ranked as a 3-star prospect and the No. 5 player in the state of Pennsylvania, Beatty had an impressive prep career which included him earning a first-team all-state selection.
Tar Heel Illustrated caught up with Beatty to discuss the changes in life since the COVID-19 pandemic and looking ahead to when he arrives on campus:
THI: How have things been going with you and your family during the coronavirus shutdown and is everyone healthy and okay?
Beatty: “Yep, my family is doing very good right now. Everyone is healthy and just waiting for this all to end.”
THI: How much working out are you able to do and what have you been focusing on?
Beatty: “About five times a week. I have a gym in my garage and I work out at a place not too far from my house that I can still get into. I’ve been working on my side to side speed a lot and getting my feet quicker.”
THI: How often are you in contact with UNC coaches and are they monitoring your progress or anything like that?
Beatty: “We’re having zoom meetings for the d-line twice a week, so I’m in contact with them a lot.”
THI: What is your height and weight now and what weight do you plan on being when you eventually arrive in Chapel Hill?
Beatty: “I am 6-foot-5, 270 as of right now. I hit a weight that I feel comfortable at and I can still move the way I want to. I’m just working out as much as I can right now and whatever weight I end up with is fine with me.”
THI: The players that don't enroll in January usually do so in June for summer school, but on-campus classes for the summer have been cancelled. Are you going to enroll online and at least get your course work started?
Beatty: “That’s something we have all been wondering but, as of right now, no one knows what we’re going to do.”
THI: If things return to normal this summer, do you have any special plans or things you want to do before enrolling at UNC?
Beatty: “I really want to go to the Myrtle Beach Safari and see all the tigers from Tiger King.”