Canadian Football League quarterback Dustin Crum continues to make his mark with the Ottawa RedBlacks, showcasing the same determination that led him from being an under-recruited high school player to a professional football star.
The 26-year-old American quarterback has overcome countless challenges to establish himself as a reliable backup and special packages player in the CFL, earning respect through his work ethic and clutch performances.
Dustin Crum’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dustin Crum |
| Date of Birth | January 5, 1999 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 210 lbs (95 kg) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Aeronautical Systems Engineering Technology |
| College | Kent State |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Current Team | Ottawa RedBlacks |
Early Career
Dustin Crum’s football journey began in Grafton, Ohio, where he attended Midview High School. Growing up as the son of a high school football coach, Scott Crum, football became an integral part of his life from an early age. He would attend his father’s practice sessions at just four years old, sitting in awe and drawing up plays in a Superman notebook.
At Midview High School, Crum emerged as a multi-sport star, lettering in basketball and baseball while excelling on the football field. As a senior, he recorded impressive statistics with 2,615 passing yards and 32 touchdowns through the air, while adding 1,557 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
His eight touchdown passes in a single game tied for second in Ohio history, and he holds Lorain County records for touchdown passes in a season (39) and career passing yards (8,585).
Despite his outstanding high school performance, Crum faced significant recruiting challenges. Kent State was his only scholarship offer, which he received late in his senior year. The lack of recruiting attention motivated him to prove doubters wrong and showcase his abilities at the collegiate level.
Professional Career
Crum’s professional journey began after an exceptional college career at Kent State, where he transformed from a backup quarterback to the MAC Most Valuable Player. His college success included leading Kent State to their first-ever bowl victory in the 2019 Frisco Bowl, where he earned Offensive MVP honors.
Following his college career, Crum went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft but immediately signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed a three-year contract worth $2,560,000 with Kansas City, including an average annual salary of $853,333. However, he was released by the Chiefs on August 27, 2022, after spending most of training camp with the team.
One week later, on September 6, 2022, Crum signed with the Ottawa RedBlacks of the Canadian Football League. He made his CFL debut in Week 5 of the 2023 season and earned his first start the following week.
In a remarkable turn of events, he led Ottawa to two straight overtime victories over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders, earning him the nickname “Crum-back Kid”. In January 2025, the RedBlacks re-signed Crum to a one-year extension, showing their confidence in his abilities.
Dustin Crum’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Dustin Crum’s estimated net worth is approximately $200,000 to $300,000, primarily accumulated through his professional football contracts and endorsement opportunities.
Contract
Crum’s current contract situation reflects his role as a valuable backup quarterback in the CFL. In January 2025, he signed a one-year extension with the Ottawa RedBlacks, keeping him with the team through the 2025 season.
Typical CFL backup quarterback salaries range between $65,000 to $85,000 annually. His contract includes standard CFL provisions for housing allowances and performance bonuses.
Salary
Crum’s salary structure has evolved significantly since turning professional. His initial NFL contract with Kansas City was worth $2,560,000 over three years, but he never received the full amount due to his release.
In the CFL, his annual salary is estimated to be in the range of $65,000 to $75,000, which is competitive for backup quarterbacks in the league. The CFL’s 2025 salary cap increased to $6,062,365, providing teams with more flexibility to retain valuable players like Crum.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Earnings | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Kansas City Chiefs | $705,000 | Released |
| 2023 | Ottawa RedBlacks | ~$65,000 | Active |
| 2024 | Ottawa RedBlacks | ~$65,000 | Active |
| 2025 | Ottawa RedBlacks | ~$65,000 | Extended |
Career Stats
| Year | Team | Games Played | Passing Attempts | Passing Completions | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Passing INTs | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ottawa RedBlacks | 18 | 386 | 266 | 3,109 | 10 | 12 | 96 | 712 | 9 |
| 2024 | Ottawa RedBlacks | 18 | 45 | 31 | 320 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 206 | 7 |
| 2025 | Ottawa RedBlacks | 4 | 54 | 31 | 351 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 127 | 3 |
FAQs
1. What college did Dustin Crum attend and what was his major?
Dustin Crum attended Kent State University where he earned a degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering Technology. He was not only a standout quarterback but also excelled academically, earning the nickname “rocket scientist” for his engineering background and involvement in building rockets as part of the Kent State Rocket team.
2. How did Dustin Crum get his nickname “Crum-back Kid”?
Crum earned this nickname during his rookie season with the Ottawa RedBlacks when he led two spectacular comeback victories. He rallied his team from a 25-9 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Winnipeg 31-28 in overtime, then the following week overcame a 17-6 first-quarter hole to defeat Calgary 43-41, also in overtime.
3. What NFL team originally signed Dustin Crum?
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Crum as an undrafted free agent with a three-year contract worth $2.56 million. However, he was released during training camp and never played in a regular season NFL game before joining the Ottawa RedBlacks in the CFL.
4. Who are Dustin Crum’s parents and family members?
His parents are Scott and Amy Crum from Grafton, Ohio. Scott Crum was his high school football coach at Midview High School. Dustin has one older brother who is 27 and married, plus two younger sisters aged 15 and 14. His father continues to mentor him, texting him before games about the “three C’s” – cool, calm, and collected.
5. What records did Dustin Crum set during his college career at Kent State?
Crum won the MAC Most Valuable Player award and Offensive Player of the Year award, his final college season. He was named MVP of the 2019 Frisco Bowl, leading Kent State to their first-ever bowl victory in program history. During his college career, he threw for over 7,400 yards and accounted for 55 total touchdowns.
