Demry Croft, a 6-foot-6, 193-pound senior quarterback from Rockford (IL) Boylan, recently ran for 114 yards on just eight carries and completed 13 of 17 passes for 158 yards as he ran for three touchdowns and passed for a fourth in a 48-7 win over Freeport Friday Pretzels. It was the tenth consecutive win over the Pretzels (you got to love that nickname).
Croft helped lead Boylan to a 12-1 mark last season, losing to eventual state champion Batavia in the Class 6A (Illinois’ largest class) 38-6 in the state semifinals.
Croft started last year at wide receiver before switching positions with 2012 quarterback Brock Stull in the second quarter of Boylan’s second game. Croft ran for 685 yards and 12 touchdowns and passed for 1,879 yards and 16 touchdowns, with only four interceptions last year.
Gopher Hole caught up with Croft to learn the latest on his season and Gopher commitment.
Gopher Hole: You started out last year at wide receiver. How did you move into the quarterback spot in the second game last year?
Demry Croft: During the summer, the coach had us rotate, even out at wide receiver and quarterback. He said that we were too good of players to sit on the sidelines. That second game, things weren’t going too well. The coach put me in and ever since, it has stayed that way.
Gopher Hole: Had you played much quarterback before then or had you played wide receiver?
Demry Croft: No, I have always played quarterback.
Gopher Hole: You are pretty tall for a quarterback that likes to run as much as you do. Do you think that size gives you an advantage in that you can see over defensive lineman?
Demry Croft: I like to think that sometimes. It is a little bit tougher.
Gopher Hole: Is there a college or NFL quarterback that you really like to watch and try to model your game after?
Demry Croft: I like to model my game after Cam Newton and a little bit on Aaron Rogers.
Gopher Hole: When you committed to Minnesota, what was the main reason that decided that Minnesota was where you wanted to play?
Demry Croft: I think the program is on the rise. They have a great staff. I really like the education that the school can provide. The major I want, business, is a good place for me.
Gopher Hole: The coaching staff was at Southern Illinois and then Northern Illinois. Is that how they built a relationship with your coaches to get to know about you?
Demry Croft: No, I don’t think so. (Minnesota assistant) Coach Anderson is from Rockford.
Gopher Hole: What other schools were you considering besides Minnesota when you made your decision?
Demry Croft: At that point in time after Minnesota had offered, it was Buffalo, Akron and Northern Illinois.
Gopher Hole: Those are good schools, but do you think that because you split time at quarterback and last year was your first year was that the reason that you weren’t getting more looks than you should have?
Demry Croft: Yes, I believe that and also where I am from. Not too many players play Division I football from this area.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to see the Gophers play much this year?
Demry Croft: Yes, I have. I have watched all their games so far.
Gopher Hole: What has been your impression of the team so far?
Demry Croft: I am pretty excited, because everyone is so young. They are freshmen and sophomores, mostly. The line is pretty young and the recruiting class that they have coming in, my class.
Gopher Hole: Have you talked to many other members of the recruiting class via social media?
Demry Croft: We tweet. We text.
Gopher Hole: Who did you keep in touch with the most?
Demry Croft: Quinn (Oseland).
Gopher Hole: Another Illinois kid. How well did you know him before all this?
Demry Croft: Not too well. I had seen him around. I was at a few camps with him.
Gopher Hole: Does that make it nice that you know the kids at least a little bit before you go up there next year?
Demry Croft: Oh, yes.
Gopher Hole: What things are you really working on to continue to improve yourself as a quarterback?
Demry Croft: I am just trying to prove that I am more than just a runner. The offense is a read-option kind of offense. I want to break that tradition of always running. I want to show that I can pass better than I can run.
Gopher Hole: Do you think that is one of your strengths that you are such a good runner?
Demry Croft: I think it is a strength. I can run a lot, if I have to
Gopher Hole: Do you think that is a strength because you are a versatile player that if teams are going to play you only to run, that you have the arm to beat them in the air and if they play you to pass, you can get some big holes to run the ball?
Demry Croft: Yes. I think that is a big value.
Gopher Hole: Have they said much to you about your role with the team next year? They have some young quarterbacks, but they have also had some injuries where if you play well in the summer you could get some playing time quickly.
Demry Croft: We have not really talked about that a lot.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought about when you are going to try to come up here for an official visit?
Demry Croft: I am thinking either in a few weeks. I want to do it during the football season. I’m just not really quite sure yet.
Gopher Hole: What are the expectations for your high school team the rest of the year?
Demry Croft: We want to keep advancing.
Gopher Hole: You made it to the state semifinals last year before losing to the eventual state champion Batavia. Is that a motivating factor to get even farther this year?
Demry Croft: That is definitely a motivating factor. Just seeing teams from the Chicago area beat up on other teams and thinking to yourself that in a couple of weeks that could be us beating up on the Chicago teams. It is definitely motivating.