By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
SAND ROCK – Before Logan Crider’s sophomore year, Alan Heath became the Wildcats’ head football coach. One of the changes Heath implemented was a new weight training program in which Crider began to see tremendous strides being made.
“Over one summer I went from bench pressing 225 (pounds) to 315,” Crider said.
With the muscle mass Crider gained over the past three seasons, combined with his 6-foot-2 frame, he’s turned into quite the specimen tight end.
Division III Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., took notice of Crider’s build, along with his skill. The Majors offered him a football scholarship, which he signed on Monday afternoon in the Sand Rock gym.
“I’m so grateful for this moment,” Crider said. “I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years. I was four years old when I started playing sports and football, and all that time I’ve put into it has been just for this moment. The realization is just amazing.”
“You couldn’t design a tight end who looks more like a tight end. If you sat down and listed on paper what a tight end should be, you’d have him,” Heath said. “He’s got great hands. He can block well. He played pretty well on defense too.”
On Monday, Heath said he’d been putting together a highlight film of Sand Rock’s football season. He remarked how talented Crider was before injuries sidelined him during the Wildcats’ 4-6 campaign.
“I got to watch the first couple of games this season where he was 100 percent healthy, how well he played and how hard he played. He really didn’t get to play much past a couple of games this year as a result of injury, but I’m so glad he’s getting this opportunity. That just goes to show how his measurables are, his hard work, those types of things. Even though his senior season he was injured and wasn’t able to play as much as he normally would’ve been, he still got this opportunity to play going forward. It’s a really awesome thing for him.”
Crider said the Millsaps football coaches plan to utilize his talent to its fullest potential.
“I’ll be doing a little bit of everything,” he said. “I’m going to be that mix tight end. I’ll do some catching. I’ll do some route running. I’ll be on the line. It’s going to be fun.
“It is a little nerve wracking going somewhere you’ve never been before without your family. I’m a big family guy and I’m moving about five hours away. It’s going to be different, but I’m up for the challenge.”
“I’m just super proud of him,” Heath said. “I’m thankful I got to coach him, spend time with him and get to know him. He’s a great kid. He’s the type of person who wants to try and do things right.”