Crum Ready to Start New Tight End Tradition
September 22, 2015 | Football
Freshman leads the team in receptions.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville football team produced a lot of great tight ends through the years. Ronnie Ghent was a four-time Conference USA performer. Current Cleveland Browns starter Gary Barnidge was one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends in school history, and Arizona Cardinals tight end Gerald Christian among others.
That's a pretty impressive trio, but the Cardinals are grooming another youngster at the tight end in freshman Micky Crum.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Crum has stepped up and added another weapon in the passing game, leading the Cardinals in receptions. A starter in the first three games, Crum has caught 12 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown – a 29-yard reception in a 34-31 loss to Houston on Sept. 12.
Crum illustrated his athletic ability and his prowess to work the middle of the field against Houston, where he caught six passes for 103 yards – one of 12 tight ends to record a 100-yard receiving game at Louisville. He is tied for third in the ACC with four receptions of over 20 yards through the first three games of his collegiate career.
However, the 6-foot-4, 257-pounder wants to build upon his fast start, but knows he can't rest on his laurels.
"I'm never settled in how I play after a game," Crum said. "I'm always looking to improve. You can't be satisfied with your performance and I just have to keep working."
Playing a position that features three other very talented players, offensive coordinator Garrick McGee knows Crum must continue to develop, but likes where he is headed after his fast start to the season.
"He is playing a position that has a lot of good guys," McGee said. "The competition level has really gone up on the practice field at that position. He has done a good job catching the ball and making plays. He has provided a big lift to the offense."
Crum redshirted last season after struggling with his conditioning and his ability to understand the playbook. Determined to get on the field and not get lost in a talented stable of returning tight end, Crum went to work on his own.
"Last year I was out of shape and didn't have the play book down fast enough to be able to play my first year," Crum said. "I did extra stuff outside the weight room to get in shape and ready to play."
During his free time, Crum ran by himself to get his body ready to play. Running hills at Cherokee Park for 45 minutes, Crum got his stamina up and was ready to take on the grind of a Division I schedule.
Playing scholastically at Hamilton Township, Crum joins a young receiving corps, as the top four-leading receivers are all freshmen, which Crum thinks bodes well for the Cardinals in the next few seasons.
"I think it says a lot about the future of the program," Crum said. "Having four freshmen leading our team in receiving says a lot about this program."
While the future is bright with a lot of talented, young wide outs, Crum has the ability to add to a long list of great tight ends at Louisville.
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That's a pretty impressive trio, but the Cardinals are grooming another youngster at the tight end in freshman Micky Crum.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Crum has stepped up and added another weapon in the passing game, leading the Cardinals in receptions. A starter in the first three games, Crum has caught 12 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown – a 29-yard reception in a 34-31 loss to Houston on Sept. 12.
Crum illustrated his athletic ability and his prowess to work the middle of the field against Houston, where he caught six passes for 103 yards – one of 12 tight ends to record a 100-yard receiving game at Louisville. He is tied for third in the ACC with four receptions of over 20 yards through the first three games of his collegiate career.
However, the 6-foot-4, 257-pounder wants to build upon his fast start, but knows he can't rest on his laurels.
"I'm never settled in how I play after a game," Crum said. "I'm always looking to improve. You can't be satisfied with your performance and I just have to keep working."
Playing a position that features three other very talented players, offensive coordinator Garrick McGee knows Crum must continue to develop, but likes where he is headed after his fast start to the season.
"He is playing a position that has a lot of good guys," McGee said. "The competition level has really gone up on the practice field at that position. He has done a good job catching the ball and making plays. He has provided a big lift to the offense."
Crum redshirted last season after struggling with his conditioning and his ability to understand the playbook. Determined to get on the field and not get lost in a talented stable of returning tight end, Crum went to work on his own.
"Last year I was out of shape and didn't have the play book down fast enough to be able to play my first year," Crum said. "I did extra stuff outside the weight room to get in shape and ready to play."
During his free time, Crum ran by himself to get his body ready to play. Running hills at Cherokee Park for 45 minutes, Crum got his stamina up and was ready to take on the grind of a Division I schedule.
Playing scholastically at Hamilton Township, Crum joins a young receiving corps, as the top four-leading receivers are all freshmen, which Crum thinks bodes well for the Cardinals in the next few seasons.
"I think it says a lot about the future of the program," Crum said. "Having four freshmen leading our team in receiving says a lot about this program."
While the future is bright with a lot of talented, young wide outs, Crum has the ability to add to a long list of great tight ends at Louisville.
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