Colorado State University Athletics
Prepared to Fill the Void
3/27/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
“Tanner Time” begins in offensive line room
Give the kid credit. He was new to the starting lineup but looking toward the future. He knew who he followed – heck, who everybody in the Colorado State offensive line room took their cues from – and realized nothing lasts forever in college football.
Jacob Gardner was going to graduate. Who would bring the room together next?
Tanner Morely started to take notes. Mental ones. He asked questions, real and hypothetical of the person he trusted most – Gardner. A five-year starter. A rock. The voice of reason, and when necessary, reality.
Gardner had his lieutenants to help: Drew Moss and Saveyon Henderson. All returned as starters in 2024. All will be absent in 2025.
"Drew always said 'Tanner Time' once we're gone. I know what I was at my high school was a leader, and I learned a lot of great values and lessons from that, just to be able to improve as a person and also as a football player and as a leader to continue to grow," Morley said. "I was totally ready to step into that role and kind of get the respect that is needed to step into that role, which means getting to know your players and your guys. I was all for it. I'm a people person; a social butterfly. I like to talk to people, I love to get to know different people. Everyone has a different story so it's important to know what everyone has been through, and you can learn off of that."
Morley played in every game last year as a redshirt freshman, starting the final 10 at left guard. He's big and physical and plays like he lives – out loud. He's a Colorado kid with a passion for his state, his team and especially his room.
He expects to excel. He holds the same standard for the offensive line and the Rams as well. As valuable as Gardner was as the anchor to the unit, it was his ability to bring the group together and keep it a tight unit on and off the field, which was just as valuable.
In most cases, there would be cause for concern. Offensive line coach Bill Best doesn't harbor them.
"We're not going to replace Jacob, but he and Drew and Saveyon did a great job of teaching the young guys how it's supposed to be done. They learned the lesson well," Best said. "Usually in a situation like this I'd be really nervous. They have to prove it, but I'm not nervous about it; I know they're going to get there.
"Tanner's an in-state kid. He probably has a bright future ahead of him if he continues to grow, and for him to take that step on his own, that's impressive. We're really proud of that. At the same time, you have Aaron Karas who is like Jacob – quiet and more stoic – and he'll fill the Jacob role. We really feel good about both of them."
Karas is himself a local product, and like Morley, worked his way up the ranks to the role of starter, making every appearance at tackle a season ago. They are returning starters but quite different people. Karas, for instance, is more like Gardner in personality, but leadership isn't a cookie-cutter formula where one size fits all.
The fact Best is not worried is one of the best pats on the back they'll get from the man in charge.
"Honestly, that's a great compliment. I have so much respect for Jacob," Karas said. "He started all five years, played multiple positions, center and tackle. The whole time I've been here, he's basically the only person I've looked up to the whole time, where he's never faltered. I would think, 'damn, what would Jacob think if I'm late?' It's cool that Coach trusts us like that.
"Tanner is more outgoing, more social. He likes to be social and be buddy-buddy with everybody. I just prefer to sit back, lead by example. I'll hop in and correct when I need to. I've learned what Jacob set forward as the structure, same with Drew and Saveyon, the good culture we had. What they said was good and not good. I'll stick with that because it's worked."
As they both learned, the initial gathering is the most crucial of steps. Reassuring those already on hand. Bringing along the newcomers, freshmen and transfers alike. The process is not so much making room for everybody but making sure everybody has their place.
As soon as the 2024 season was completed, Morley, Karas and Trevyn Heil started talking amongst themselves. They were to be the welcoming committee, the organizers, the group which would explain the hows and whys of the room.
The group chat, the one filled with the silly photos, memes and videos, also alerts them to the important things. When meetings and practices are held. Then there are the Saturday events. A gathering at somebody's house. Maybe bowling. Morley's not sure any of them are good, but that's not the point.
"It starts outside the weight room and the field, just getting to know them, getting those guys to be really comfortable with you. You have to be five as one, you have to jell together and be really close," Morley said. "It starts off the field, like going to get a bite to eat after practice, going to hang out at someone's house on the weekend. It's those type of things that are really going to bring people along. Once you get that kind of mutual respect for each other, get to know them, you kind of learn the ways that they can learn. If a certain guy doesn't learn great by getting yelled at or getting on him, you have to pull him aside and talk to him. The new guys, the transfers that are stepping up, it's important to really get to know them. They've had a good winter, a good spring, learning quick. I'll do whatever I can to help them, and so will Aaron and Trevyn Heil."
The end game is to lead the offensive charge. Losing a trio of starters is a blow, but the expectation doesn't change for Morley or Karas, their line of thinking is the offensive line must take the next step forward.
Last year the group ranked fourth nationally sacks allowed, just .77 per game. That was an improvement from the 1.17 the season prior. Defenitely a major improvement over the nation-leading 59 sacks allowed in 2022.
Part of getting there is being the leaders the group needs.
"Theoretically we have three starters. Alex (Foster) is going to be at tackle when he's healthy. Then there's Christian Martin is the left tackle for now, and Aitor (Urionabarrenechea). I think they're in the position I was in last year, where they have to get that confidence going. They have a few game reps, they've had all these years to practice, they just need that confidence to build up. I'm hoping I can help them like Jacob, Drew and Saveyon helped me."
Now it's Tanner Time, though he won't shoulder the responsibility alone. He'll just be the one they hear most. It's in his nature, which differs from that of Gardner, and Karas, for that matter. The void will be filled, style aside.
True leadership comes from within, which means leading the group while staying true to oneself.
"Jacob was definitely a quieter guy. He didn't have to talk much to lead us; he led by example and commanded respect just by the things he's done," Morley said. "After stepping into college football, a starter immediately, he earned that respect. He didn't have to be too vocal just to really show and get the offensive line together. Versus me, I'm definitely a very vocal guy. I like to mess around; I like to have fun with all my boys all the time. I also like to get on people for certain things they're doing I think they can do better.
"Not for me, but for them and the rest of the team because everybody is going to be counted on this season and we're definitely going to need as many people as we can to be at that level of play."
Jacob Gardner was going to graduate. Who would bring the room together next?
Tanner Morely started to take notes. Mental ones. He asked questions, real and hypothetical of the person he trusted most – Gardner. A five-year starter. A rock. The voice of reason, and when necessary, reality.
Gardner had his lieutenants to help: Drew Moss and Saveyon Henderson. All returned as starters in 2024. All will be absent in 2025.
"Drew always said 'Tanner Time' once we're gone. I know what I was at my high school was a leader, and I learned a lot of great values and lessons from that, just to be able to improve as a person and also as a football player and as a leader to continue to grow," Morley said. "I was totally ready to step into that role and kind of get the respect that is needed to step into that role, which means getting to know your players and your guys. I was all for it. I'm a people person; a social butterfly. I like to talk to people, I love to get to know different people. Everyone has a different story so it's important to know what everyone has been through, and you can learn off of that."
Morley played in every game last year as a redshirt freshman, starting the final 10 at left guard. He's big and physical and plays like he lives – out loud. He's a Colorado kid with a passion for his state, his team and especially his room.
He expects to excel. He holds the same standard for the offensive line and the Rams as well. As valuable as Gardner was as the anchor to the unit, it was his ability to bring the group together and keep it a tight unit on and off the field, which was just as valuable.
In most cases, there would be cause for concern. Offensive line coach Bill Best doesn't harbor them.
"We're not going to replace Jacob, but he and Drew and Saveyon did a great job of teaching the young guys how it's supposed to be done. They learned the lesson well," Best said. "Usually in a situation like this I'd be really nervous. They have to prove it, but I'm not nervous about it; I know they're going to get there.
"Tanner's an in-state kid. He probably has a bright future ahead of him if he continues to grow, and for him to take that step on his own, that's impressive. We're really proud of that. At the same time, you have Aaron Karas who is like Jacob – quiet and more stoic – and he'll fill the Jacob role. We really feel good about both of them."
Karas is himself a local product, and like Morley, worked his way up the ranks to the role of starter, making every appearance at tackle a season ago. They are returning starters but quite different people. Karas, for instance, is more like Gardner in personality, but leadership isn't a cookie-cutter formula where one size fits all.
The fact Best is not worried is one of the best pats on the back they'll get from the man in charge.
"Honestly, that's a great compliment. I have so much respect for Jacob," Karas said. "He started all five years, played multiple positions, center and tackle. The whole time I've been here, he's basically the only person I've looked up to the whole time, where he's never faltered. I would think, 'damn, what would Jacob think if I'm late?' It's cool that Coach trusts us like that.
"Tanner is more outgoing, more social. He likes to be social and be buddy-buddy with everybody. I just prefer to sit back, lead by example. I'll hop in and correct when I need to. I've learned what Jacob set forward as the structure, same with Drew and Saveyon, the good culture we had. What they said was good and not good. I'll stick with that because it's worked."
As they both learned, the initial gathering is the most crucial of steps. Reassuring those already on hand. Bringing along the newcomers, freshmen and transfers alike. The process is not so much making room for everybody but making sure everybody has their place.
As soon as the 2024 season was completed, Morley, Karas and Trevyn Heil started talking amongst themselves. They were to be the welcoming committee, the organizers, the group which would explain the hows and whys of the room.
The group chat, the one filled with the silly photos, memes and videos, also alerts them to the important things. When meetings and practices are held. Then there are the Saturday events. A gathering at somebody's house. Maybe bowling. Morley's not sure any of them are good, but that's not the point.
"It starts outside the weight room and the field, just getting to know them, getting those guys to be really comfortable with you. You have to be five as one, you have to jell together and be really close," Morley said. "It starts off the field, like going to get a bite to eat after practice, going to hang out at someone's house on the weekend. It's those type of things that are really going to bring people along. Once you get that kind of mutual respect for each other, get to know them, you kind of learn the ways that they can learn. If a certain guy doesn't learn great by getting yelled at or getting on him, you have to pull him aside and talk to him. The new guys, the transfers that are stepping up, it's important to really get to know them. They've had a good winter, a good spring, learning quick. I'll do whatever I can to help them, and so will Aaron and Trevyn Heil."
The end game is to lead the offensive charge. Losing a trio of starters is a blow, but the expectation doesn't change for Morley or Karas, their line of thinking is the offensive line must take the next step forward.
Last year the group ranked fourth nationally sacks allowed, just .77 per game. That was an improvement from the 1.17 the season prior. Defenitely a major improvement over the nation-leading 59 sacks allowed in 2022.
Part of getting there is being the leaders the group needs.
"Theoretically we have three starters. Alex (Foster) is going to be at tackle when he's healthy. Then there's Christian Martin is the left tackle for now, and Aitor (Urionabarrenechea). I think they're in the position I was in last year, where they have to get that confidence going. They have a few game reps, they've had all these years to practice, they just need that confidence to build up. I'm hoping I can help them like Jacob, Drew and Saveyon helped me."
Now it's Tanner Time, though he won't shoulder the responsibility alone. He'll just be the one they hear most. It's in his nature, which differs from that of Gardner, and Karas, for that matter. The void will be filled, style aside.
True leadership comes from within, which means leading the group while staying true to oneself.
"Jacob was definitely a quieter guy. He didn't have to talk much to lead us; he led by example and commanded respect just by the things he's done," Morley said. "After stepping into college football, a starter immediately, he earned that respect. He didn't have to be too vocal just to really show and get the offensive line together. Versus me, I'm definitely a very vocal guy. I like to mess around; I like to have fun with all my boys all the time. I also like to get on people for certain things they're doing I think they can do better.
"Not for me, but for them and the rest of the team because everybody is going to be counted on this season and we're definitely going to need as many people as we can to be at that level of play."
Players Mentioned
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