Interview: 2017 Arkansas LB Tanner Cross Gives Insight on Dartmouth Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Some football seasons are measured only by championships while others can be measured by a whole host of accomplishments, both individual and team. When Class of 2017 linebacker Tanner Cross looks back on his senior season, he will have a lot of accomplished goals to be proud of for the rest of his life.
Cross tore it up for Fort Smith Northside as an inside and outside linebacker during his high school career. Under head coach Mike Falleur, the Grizzlies have always been considered a tough team to play, a team no one really wants to line up against. The 2015 season did not go as planned ending the year 4-7 but Cross was one of many bright spots on the squad racking up 77 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Playing at the toughest level of competition in Arkansas, 7A, the Grizzlies were awarded a playoff spot but missed out on beating crosstown rival Southside losing 22-15 last year.
A new season brings new hope and a fresh perspective. The lingering disappointment from the past did not spill over into the 2016 nor did changing from the 7A West Conference to 7A Central disrupt the Grizzlies flow. The Fort Smith squad finished the season ranked No. 10 in the Natural State by MaxPreps going 7-3 earning a playoff berth against Bentonville with the helpful senior leadership of Cross. Cross had another solid season coming up with 73 tackles, six pass breakups, four tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble. All football players know stats do not tell the entire story. Cross played his part going up against Power-offenses and G-Play teams taking on pulling guards to bounce the play back to the other linebackers to make plays. Doing his part helped the team finish with a winning record while ending an 11 year winning drought against rival Fort Smith Northside posting a 52-13 victory.
Good news for Cross did not end when the season concluded. The 6-2, 225 pound, defender earned first team All-State honors and on Sunday announced his verbal commitment to Dartmouth.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Cross going over his senior season while gaining insight to his commitment to the Ivy League’s Big Green.
Interview
Tanner, congratulations on your commitment to Dartmouth.
“Thank you.”
Before we go there, I’d like to find out how your senior season went?
“I think it went really well. Me and all the other seniors, we really turned the program around and had a great season. I felt like I was able to achieve all my goals as a player and as a student during my senior season.”
How did your game improve this season?
“I think it improved because I was able to use more of my football IQ to put myself in position to make plays.”
How sweet was it for you to get a big 52-13 win against your crosstown rival Southside during your senior year?
“Oh my God. The last time we beat them I was a little kid. My sisters were a cheerleaders for Northside then. Knowing we had not beaten them in 11 years, words cannot express how I felt when the clock hit zero.”
Nice, let’s get into your recruiting. Which schools have you visited so far?
“I have taken unofficial visits to the Air Force Academy and Missouri State. I will take all of my official visits in January.”
Which schools are you officially visiting coming up?
“I’m going to Dartmouth on Jan. 6 and Missouri State on Jan. 13.”
Before you committed to Dartmouth, which teams were showing recruiting interest in you?
“Northwest Missouri State – they just won the D-II National Championship, they were showing strong interest, UCA (Central Arkansas) – their head coach stopped by school two weeks ago to check on me, and Arkansas State.”
You had several offers on the table, which schools have offered you so far?
“Dartmouth, Air Force, Missouri State, Northwest Missouri State, Henderson State, Arkansas Tech, and Ouachita Baptist.”
You announced your commitment on Tuesday, Dec. 20, but is that when you actually committed to Dartmouth?
“No. I committed the weekend before on Saturday, Dec. 10.”
What influenced you to commit to Dartmouth over all your other offers?
“Just the opportunity to become just as great a student as an athlete going there. They are at the forefront of college football with the concussion protocol. They are changing the game there.”
How are they changing the game with their concussion protocols?
“They have implemented tackling dummies into their practices. You do not tackle at all until game day on Saturdays. Their head coach, Coach (Buddy) Teevens, has given me all the feedback. They have reduce the impact of concussions by changing how they practice making it safer for the players.”
I did not know that. Thanks for sharing. Now, how did the commitment take place?
“I called my recruiting coach, Coach (Danny) O’Dea. It hit me, I felt like I wanted to commit to be a part of the family there.”
What was the reaction of Coach O’Dea (nickels coach) when you committed to him?
“He was so excited. He said he could not wait to get back to the office to tell the rest of the staff.”
What was going through your mind before you committed?
“I felt excited because I knew in my heart that is what I wanted to do and that is where I wanted to go. I felt in-line with my instincts when I called him.”
How will they use you in their system?
“We have not talked that much about position specific stuff. I now I have a chance to play early. I think they are looking at me as more of an inside linebacker. The linebackers coach, Coach (Don) Dobes, said we would talk more X’s and O’s on my visit.”
When you take your visit to Hanover (NH), what are you excited to see or learn about the school or program?
“I’m looking forward to seeing the culture there. In the south it is real friendly. Everyone is looking out for you. Everyone says it is different up there, I want to see for myself. I want to see how well they treat each other there.”
Have you started recruiting other players for Dartmouth?
“Yes, sir. Coach O’Dea said right when I committed that I had become an ambassador of the program. He said if I wanted to reach out and talk to guys they have offered they would love that.”
Who have you reached out to so far?
“I reached out to a guy from Springdale (AR), Jayden Minchew. He is a safety. They have been talking to him.”
What did you share with Jayden about your excitement for Dartmouth?
“I shared with him what made me commit, what made me want to be part of Dartmouth and how it all went. That’s pretty much all I shared to him.”
What is your overall GPA now?
“I have a 4.22.”
What is your updated ACT score?
“I just got my score back yesterday. I got a 26 on the latest ACT.”
Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
From our last conversation, I know you played baseball last spring, are you playing baseball this summer?
“No, sir. I will be in the gym working out every day as much as I can getting ready for college next year.”
What all will you work on besides building overall strength this off-season?
“I will work on my speed, my later speed, covering up holes, getting over blocks, and engaging and disengaging blocks. I want to improve my overall flexibility.”
Tanner, again, congratulations on your commitment to Dartmouth and thanks for your time today.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: John Davis Photography; Tanner Cross receives an award.
Photo credit: John Davis Photography; No. 5 Tanner Cross pre-snap vs. Catholic High.
Photo credit: John Davis Photography; No. 5 Tanner Cross covers vs. Bentonville.