Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Cris Tiller
Craig-Myers Ready to do His Part
9/24/2019 7:24:00 PM | Football
Auburn transfer had strong debut for Rams
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The feeling is if you sat Nate Craig-Myers at a table with Dante Wright, they may just sit there in complete silence.
"If you don't start the conversation, y'all will just sit there and look at each other for about 5 minutes," E.J. Scott joked. "They won't say anything."
Not until somebody talks to them, which Craig-Myers agreed pretty much sums him up. He's a bit reserved, and as the new kid in town, it can work against some people. The truth is, he may be quiet, but he's not afraid to make new friends, and Colorado State's football team is thrilled he's ready to make plays.
The Auburn transfer became eligible just last week, and he introduced himself with five catches for 88 yards. If Warren Jackson, whose 31 receptions lead the team and rank fourth nationally is unable to go, Craig-Myers will have to speak up, at least on the field.
Back when he was heavily recruited out of high school, the Rams gave him a look and made the necessary phone call, and head coach Mike Bobo remembers talking to Craig-Myers. He just wasn't sure if the player did.
When he put himself in the transfer portal last year and the phone started to ring again, the first one came back fresh.
"I remember that conversation. He was like, 'you want to catch 100 balls?' and he just left it at that," Craig-Myers said. "That stuck with me, hearing that. Then leaving, that made me realize they're not going to just tell me something like that."
So he showed up fresh this summer and he found his spot. Even without much monologue at first, Craig-Myers said it wasn't hard to fit in and find his spot, having been through the process before. The familiar part came on the field, and his size, speed and the fluidity with which he ran routes made an impact.
Patrick O'Brien could see it all play out, knowing what it's like to show up as the new guy in class.
"He just assimilated to the team. He came in and started working his tail off," O'Brien said. "Guys just accepted him and knew he was going to be a good player. I feel like he can do everything. He's fast, he runs good routes and he can jump with them all, Moss some kids. I feel he's a good receiver, and he'll do what a quarterback needs him to do. I'm excited to see what he can do this week."
Though he is only one game into his CSU career, Craig-Myers has had a bit of an impact, and he really isn't afraid to speak when it comes to the game.
Bobo has seen it, starting early in summer workouts, putting his new team in a prominent role of his thinking and habits.
"He's a laid back guy. It's not about Nate," Bobo said. "Nate's a good player, and a lot of times, kids with accolades coming out of high school, you've got to de-recruit sometimes. Nate's just a humble guy going out there and doing his job. It's benefited him. He's gelled well with our team and the receiver's room. They all love him.
"He's taken young guys under his wing, Jaylen Hearst, Ty McCullouch and Jadon Walker. He's always talking to them as camp was going on and throughout the first part of the season. You can tell he has a good heart."
As well as a desire to get better. In meetings, Bobo will find him in the front row, taking copious notes and asking the right questions.
The preparation wasn't lost on the player. He knew he couldn't play right away, but he knew he would get his shot and he wanted to be up to speed. That work has not stopped, and likely, he said, never will.
For him, it's constant film study and a persistent message from receivers coach Joe Cox. He may be quiet, but that just may allow him to listen closer to what's important.
"See a lot of guys, they used to be like … They didn't know what to say to me, because I was quiet and just stayed to myself," Craig-Myers said. "That's just how I am. I open up a lot, but I like to be quiet. Coming down here, it was about business."
"If you don't start the conversation, y'all will just sit there and look at each other for about 5 minutes," E.J. Scott joked. "They won't say anything."
Not until somebody talks to them, which Craig-Myers agreed pretty much sums him up. He's a bit reserved, and as the new kid in town, it can work against some people. The truth is, he may be quiet, but he's not afraid to make new friends, and Colorado State's football team is thrilled he's ready to make plays.
The Auburn transfer became eligible just last week, and he introduced himself with five catches for 88 yards. If Warren Jackson, whose 31 receptions lead the team and rank fourth nationally is unable to go, Craig-Myers will have to speak up, at least on the field.
Back when he was heavily recruited out of high school, the Rams gave him a look and made the necessary phone call, and head coach Mike Bobo remembers talking to Craig-Myers. He just wasn't sure if the player did.
When he put himself in the transfer portal last year and the phone started to ring again, the first one came back fresh.
"I remember that conversation. He was like, 'you want to catch 100 balls?' and he just left it at that," Craig-Myers said. "That stuck with me, hearing that. Then leaving, that made me realize they're not going to just tell me something like that."
So he showed up fresh this summer and he found his spot. Even without much monologue at first, Craig-Myers said it wasn't hard to fit in and find his spot, having been through the process before. The familiar part came on the field, and his size, speed and the fluidity with which he ran routes made an impact.
Patrick O'Brien could see it all play out, knowing what it's like to show up as the new guy in class.
"He just assimilated to the team. He came in and started working his tail off," O'Brien said. "Guys just accepted him and knew he was going to be a good player. I feel like he can do everything. He's fast, he runs good routes and he can jump with them all, Moss some kids. I feel he's a good receiver, and he'll do what a quarterback needs him to do. I'm excited to see what he can do this week."
Though he is only one game into his CSU career, Craig-Myers has had a bit of an impact, and he really isn't afraid to speak when it comes to the game.
Bobo has seen it, starting early in summer workouts, putting his new team in a prominent role of his thinking and habits.
"He's a laid back guy. It's not about Nate," Bobo said. "Nate's a good player, and a lot of times, kids with accolades coming out of high school, you've got to de-recruit sometimes. Nate's just a humble guy going out there and doing his job. It's benefited him. He's gelled well with our team and the receiver's room. They all love him.
"He's taken young guys under his wing, Jaylen Hearst, Ty McCullouch and Jadon Walker. He's always talking to them as camp was going on and throughout the first part of the season. You can tell he has a good heart."
As well as a desire to get better. In meetings, Bobo will find him in the front row, taking copious notes and asking the right questions.
The preparation wasn't lost on the player. He knew he couldn't play right away, but he knew he would get his shot and he wanted to be up to speed. That work has not stopped, and likely, he said, never will.
For him, it's constant film study and a persistent message from receivers coach Joe Cox. He may be quiet, but that just may allow him to listen closer to what's important.
"See a lot of guys, they used to be like … They didn't know what to say to me, because I was quiet and just stayed to myself," Craig-Myers said. "That's just how I am. I open up a lot, but I like to be quiet. Coming down here, it was about business."
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