Something is different about Grayslake Central senior Eric Brum this season.
Yes, Brum is making an impact on the field. But the reason for that is the key.
“I told myself to play loose and have fun out there,” he said. “Once I started doing that, the results started showing. I knew I could have a good year if I didn’t get in the way.”
That wasn’t the case for Brum last season.
“Last year was rough for me,” he said. “I was just in my head. I knew I had to play a bigger role. But at the beginning of season, not much was going my way. It just showed on the field.”
But Brum is showing what he can do this season, excelling in all three phases and rarely leaving the field for Grayslake Central (3-1, 2-0) during its quest to win its first Northern Lake County Conference title.
The 6-foot, 160-pound Brum, who made had a key interception during the Rams’ 19-14 comeback win against North Chicago last week, has eight tackles as a defensive back, has caught 11 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown as a wide receiver, and is averaging 28.8 yards on eight kickoff returns — which include a 90-yard touchdown.
“Last year, he had some plays, but he was not a guy who stood out,” Grayslake Central second-year coach Brent Pearlman said. “If you came to a game, you wouldn’t notice he was on the field unless you came to watch him. But this year you can’t help but notice him on the field.”
Pearlman said Brum, who is also a point guard on the boys basketball team, had difficulty adapting to changes last year.
“I think the big difference is two-fold because we were taking more of a passing approach last year, where the previous regime was more of a running team,” Pearlman said. “It took him a minute to get used to that. The other thing is comfort level with a new system, new coach and new culture.”
Brum has become an important part of that culture.
“We consider him to be a leader, more by action,” Pearlman said. “He doesn’t speak a ton, but his actions speak volumes.”
Grayslake Central assistant Reggie McClure II said he saw potential in Brum on the freshman level, so he isn’t shocked by the breakthrough.
“Eric came into this year determined,” McClure said. “He was very hard on himself last year. He’s stepped up and accepted the challenge of playing both ways and returning kicks this season.
“We noticed right away in the spring and summer that he was a different kid and was ready to take that next step. He brings grit, a great work ethic and a positive energy to the team. This is also the most vocal I’ve seen him in four years.”
Grayslake Central senior quarterback Braden Carlson said Brum also has a nonstop motor.
“Having a starter with his skill set be such an asset on both sides of the ball makes him such a weapon for us, especially because of his endurance level,” Carlson said. “Eric is never tired or slows down his level of play no matter how many snaps he’s played.”
Brum said last season molded him into a more complete player.
“It was a good learning experience for me being able to face adversity with a new coach and everything brand new, plus all of the seniors that I played with my sophomore year were all gone,” he said. “I had to learn from my mistakes. I came in with a different mindset and appreciate it.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
