Sophomore Tyler Sulsberger (69) has emerged as a key component on the Western Illinois offensive line. (Photo by GoLeathernecks .com)
By Dan Verdun
Tyler Sulsberger grew up on a farm outside the small town of Sloan, Iowa, located about 20 miles south of Sioux City.
“It’s a big part of who I am,” Sulsberger told Prairie State Pigskin.
It was there that he learned the value of hard work and sacrifice. Both of those traits have paid dividends in his athletic pursuits.
“Every since I was little, it’s all I can remember ever doing. It’s getting up and going to work every day. You can’t really take days off on the farm. No sick days. No days off for weather, especially with animals. You get up every day and do the work,” he said.
Sulsberger started in nine games at right tackle last season for Western Illinois as a true freshman. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, Sulsberger has established himself at left tackle this fall.
WIU head coach Joe Davis said he’ll never forget when Sulsberger came to Macomb on his unofficial recruiting visit the last home game of the 2024 season.
“We didn’t now a ton about Tyler at that point,” Davis said. “He showed up, and immediately his physical presence was very, very noticeable.”
Davis said that Sulsberger has “a very angry disposition on the field. He plays very physical. Off the field the greatest guy in the world. He’s a great student, great teammate.”
Get to know Tyler Sulsberger in this week’s Moving the Chains Q&A.
What was it like growing up in Sloan?
It’s a really small farm town (1,084 population). I lived on a farm all my life. Driving a tractor to school. I graduated with 40 to 50 kids. I knew everybody. It’s small-town Iowa. I love that place.
Based on where you grew up, were you an Iowa or Nebraska fan?
Definitely an Iowa fan. Always loved the sports and athletics at Iowa.
In that case, Nebraska is probably a dirty word . . .
I’m not a big fan of them.
You competed in two state high school wrestling championships. What was that experience like?
It was incredible. I only wrestled two years, but I was a two-time state placer.
Is it true that your prep coach brought in older wrestlers for you to practice against?
That is true. There’s a local NAIA college that is located close to (Sloan). They would bring in their heavyweight wrestlers to wrestle me. Being at a small high school, there really aren’t a lot of people my size.
What weight did you wrestle at in high school?
285 pounds.
For people that don’t know, just how big is high school wrestling in Iowa?
It’s everything. It’s one of our major sports. Our gyms get packed out, especially the conference wrestling tournaments. It’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.
Did you have offers to wrestle in college or was it mainly football?
It was mainly football-focused. I did love wrestling, but it’s so hard. I didn’t really see myself doing it at the college level.
How did you decide to choose Western Illinois?
I played in the smallest (high school) division for Iowa football. Recruiting wasn’t super easy. But thankfully, (WIU offensive coordinator) Coach (Brad) Wilson reached out to me fairly early. I just thought he was a great guy. I loved what they were doing here. It was the right fit for me. It’s an ag school. I just loved everything about Western.
With that in mind, are your plans to return to where you grew up?
Yes, that’s the plan. Go back home and farm.
We’re just over a month from Halloween. What was your favorite candy and costume as a kid?
Kit Kats. I’m a big chocolate guy.
Favorite costume? Oh man, probably a blow-up dinosaur.
Who would win an arm-wrestling tournament among your WIU teammates?
It’s pretty easy. My buddy (offensive lineman) Luca (Siamashvili) . We call him “Smash.” He’s probably one of the strongest humans I’ve ever met.
We’re not asking you to pick a winner, but if the WIU coaches square off in an arm-wrestling tournament, which ones would be considered the top contenders?
(Big laughter). I definitely have to throw (linebackers) Coach (Brandon) Kreczmer in there. And probably Davis and Wilson.
Outside of the university campus, what is your favorite place in Macomb to spend time?
I love to eat, so if I’m doing anything off campus it’s usually eating. I love Sesame Garden, the Chinese food place. The Sports Corner is another good place.
Who is the unsung hero of the Leatherneck football program?
My good roommate, Ryan McCombs. He’s played center and guard for us. He’s a real glue guy for the whole team. He’s just hilarious.
What about an unsung hero who is not a player?
Our coaching staff is just so phenomenal, and our director of football operations, Grace Horton, is phenomenal with what she does. She does so much.
Outside of football, what WIU sports program do you follow the most?
Basketball, men’s and women’s. We love going to watch those games when we get a chance. Those teams have awesome people.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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