Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Senior center Tanner Crum anchors Saluki offensive line
10/20/2014 | 12:00:00 | Football
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com CARBONDALE, Ill. - Just by looking at Tanner Crum you wouldn't know that he's flexible enough to do the splits. You wouldn't know that his favorite singer is Ted Nugent. But what you would know is that he's meant to play football. Not only does the senior center look the part, but he plays the part, and he has since his first season at SIU.
Knowing where Crum began, it's not hard to see how he became the stud offensive player he is today. In 2011, Crum's freshman year, he was determined to play as a true freshman. No redshirt. Crum came in with a confidence about him that helped him advance to a starting position midway through his first year. Six games into his freshman season, Crum started as an offensive guard, and he's started every game since.
"I came in from day one telling the coaches I didn't want to redshirt, and they just jokingly looked at me and laughed," Crum said. "I think the biggest thing was I came out with the determination and mindset to not redshirt, and then I didn't."
Even as a starter, Crum followed behind the bigger, older players on the team. At the start of his freshman year, Crum was nicknamed "Baby Boemer" due to his resemblance, similar play and similar personality to starting center, senior Bryan Boemer. The name stuck, and Crum continued to follow and learn from Boemer, who won the Rimington Award, presented to premier centers in college football.
As Crum's Saluki career continued, he quickly proved his worth and moved into the starting center position as a sophomore. With guidance from those above him, Crum began to transition out of the "Baby Boemer" phase of his career and became a standout athlete on his own. Now, Crum is no longer playing in the shadow of those before him - he's playing in the spotlight.
"Every day I wake up the same. I put my shoes on the same as I did before, but I know that now there's more of an `everyone has a spotlight on you,' kind of thing," Crum said. "Before, I was never in the spotlight because I wasn't the senior. I wasn't the upperclassman. Now, it's a good feeling - it's very humbling."
In 2013, as captain of SIU's offensive line, Crum helped the Salukis lead the MVFC in fewest sacks allowed with only 14 all year. The offense finished third in the Valley with 384.9 yards per game and led the conference with 231.8 passing yards per game. With Crum as their leader, the offensive line bonded together in a way that set them up for success. Now, as a senior, Crum recognizes the importance of his leadership in helping foster that bond and offensive strength.
"Now that I'm a senior, responsibility is a big thing to me," he said. "I try to be a leader in the weight room and out on the field, but I think it's a big thing for us to be together and be a main unit for the offense. We're on the same page, from having fun and hanging out together to playing tough on the field."
While the unity of the offensive line is essential, Crum is undoubtedly the playmaker. The quarterback may throw the passes, the running backs get the big runs, and the line makes the blocks, but without Crum at center, the ball never even leaves the ground. And Crum likes it that way.
"It's cool knowing that every play starts with you, so you're an important piece of the puzzle," Crum said. "I practice hard to make perfect when it comes to snaps. It's a great responsibility to have."
Not only is Crum focused on perfect snaps, but also on being the most vocal on the O-line. Whether it's saying things to get in players' heads, keying in on the opponents' stances, or talking to his own line, strong communication is essential, according to Crum. So important that he and his teammates practice talking to each other and being vocal in practices to prepare for games.
It's things like that that make Crum the great player and leader that he is. It's knowing the game and the key components to a win in a way that only a four-year starter can. It's having that mindset that you won't take `no' for an answer and that you'll work until you get a `yes.' It's not stopping when you reach your goal, but setting your sights even higher. And that's exactly what Crum is set to do.
"I just want to keep getting better," he said. "I want to be an All-Conference selection, and I want us to win the conference. With our group, we want more All-Conference selections because we have a lot of guys who work really hard to put up the stats and the numbers."
With high expectations for himself and his team, Crum is determined to go out with a bang his senior year. But his story may not end there.
"The main reason I wanted to play college football is to be in the NFL. That has always been a goal of mine," he said. "Once winter rolls around, I'll sit down and talk to all the coaches and re-evaluate and see if I should embark and pursue my goal of making it in the NFL."
Until then, however, Crum has a senior season to focus on. So far this season, the offensive line has helped SIU's offense rush for 162 yards per game, pass for 229 yards per game, and has only given up eight sacks, compared to 25 by opponents.
After a 5-3 start, the Salukis are thinking playoffs as they head into the final four-game stretch of regular-season games.
"We want to go all the way," Crum said. "There's no stopping the Saluki train."
