Eystin Salum is a junior quarterback for the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks.
“This year’s team got a taste of playoffs last year and we’re hungry to get back and have a better performance,” Salum said.
Salum and the team have a goal to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) title and to win the national championship.
“Leave no doubt,” Salum said to sum up their goals.
Last year, Salum started one game as the quarterback, but this year he is taking on the full position. As a starter this season, Salum has taken on more of a leadership role on the team.
“I have in a way because I’m the starter now, so just more communication between me and the line, running backs and wide receivers,” Salum said.
He talks with them on the field about what he needs and expects of certain players, and they can talk to him as well.
“A lot of us captains lead by example, so I just try and continue to be the same guy that I’ve been the entire time I’ve been here,” Salum said.
Even though Salum was not the starter last year, he did get playing time.
“My role is different this year, but other than that it’s the same season of doing what I love, playing football,” Salum said.
Now, the preseason is over and it is time to get the ball on the field.
“I’ve know this game has been coming for awhile, but it didn’t really hit me that it’s finally here until we finished our walk through today,” Salum said after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve been thinking about the first game since the schedule came out, but I feel confident in the work our team and coaches have put in the offseason. I’m excited that we finally get to go put all that hard work on display.”
Salum predicts that this season will have exciting plays from the Mavericks on both sides of the ball.
“[We have] an offense that can attack and score at any time and a defense that will pressure the opponents backfield and cause turnovers,” Salum said. “I’m most excited for the experience to spend every day working with my team toward our goals.”
As a junior, Salum has one more year of eligibility.
“After that, I plan to play as long as I can,” Salum said.
He offered up some opportunities that other CMU football players have received from playing.
“Two years ago an O-lineman, Zeth, got an opportunity with the San Diego Chargers. Senior Austin Fleer has been pulling interest from the NFL scouts this fall and there are multiple other countries with opportunity to play and be paid to play football. So whatever opportunities come I’ll explore, but that’s a long ways down the road,” Salum said.
Off the field, Salum keeps up with a mass communications degree and working as a student assistant in Vice President John Marshall’s office. With the football season, academics and work piled on, Salum keeps busy.
“I think it’s just about getting into a good routine. I’ve had school and football pretty much my whole life,” Salum said. “Just different stages require slight adjustments and in college add work, but the college schedule isn’t all day. I’m pretty accustomed to it because I’ve done it for so long.”
Salum believes that this team is going to make some noise this year.
“I believe we have all the tools, talent and past experiences we need a team to have a season for the record books. It will come down to how well we execute and focus on the details every game and every day throughout the season,” Salum said.
