Redshirt junior running back Charles Kellom is in first season with the Panthers.

Kellom, an Ohio native, has been playing football since he was 4 years old. He played baseball and basketball as well, but he essentially stuck with football.

Kellom transferred from the University of Akron. During the 2024 season he rushed for a total of 352 yards and had 27 receptions for 210 yards. Kellom rushed for a season high of 104 yards with a touchdown at Kent State.

In this Q&A, Kellom shares his adjustments to Charleston, how he feels about the season and how his teammates would describe him.

Q: At what age did you start playing football?
A: “I started playing football at the age of 4, and I’ve been playing ever since.”

Q: What was the youth team that you played for?
A: “I played for my local youth team, the Fairfield Indians in Cincinnati, Ohio. My dad was one of my coaches my first couple years and grew up playing and never stopped.”

Q: How did you feel about your dad being your coach?
A: “I loved it. He was hard on me, that’s what I needed, especially looking back on it. Overall, he helped build me into the man I am today and the athlete. He kind of laid the foundation.”

Q: Were you always a running back?
A: “Yeah, at a young age, in little league, I was a running back. When I got to middle school, I was a slot receiver a little bit, played some linebacker and played corner. Once I got to high school, I went back to running back.”

Q: Why did you transfer to Eastern?
A: “I was just looking for a better opportunity, a different team and someone that could really showcase my talents. I feel like they [EIU football] gave me a platform to do that.”

Q: How would you describe the transition from Akron to EIU both on and off the field?
A: “Off the field, it’s a little bit of a smaller town, so I had to get used to not being around everything. In Akron, we were in the middle of the city. Here, we’re out of the way. So that was one big shift. Other than that, the football side, football is football, so it wasn’t too much of a change there, just playing the game.”

Q: Would you rather be in the city area or a small town?
A: “Me, personally, I’d rather be in a city or a metropolitan area, but I don’t mind being out here. I got used to it, and I think it’s laid back, and it’s a good environment.”

Q: How do you feel about the season?
A: “We started off good. We definitely still have a lot of room to improve, and we will, but we have a good challenge ahead of us this year. We started off strong against Dayton, got a dub, slipped up a little bit last week, but I think we’ll be just fine.”

Q: If you weren’t playing football, what sport would you play?
A: “I would probably say basketball, but I wouldn’t say I’m the best at basketball. I grew up playing basketball and baseball as well, but I was alright at baseball. The game was just a little too slow for me.”

Q: What is your major?
A: “I’m a finance major” 

Q: What do you want to do with your major?
A: “I don’t exactly know yet. My first thought was being a financial advisor, but to be honest, I still don’t know. I just know I like the world of finance. I like talking about money and stock marketing and all that.”

Q: Do you have any secret talents?
A: “I can cook.”

Q: What’s your favorite meal to cook?
A: “Probably spaghetti. I cut up the onions, green peppers and all that. Put the beef in there. I’d say my spaghetti is pretty good to be honest with you.”

Q: Who do you think the greatest football player of all time is?
A: “I have to go with Tom Brady. He’s proven it for decades. He has multiple Super Bowl wins. He’s really dominated the game.”

Q: Who are your biggest supporters?
A: “Definitely my family. Mom, dad and two sisters. They support me week in and week out. They come to almost every game. Actually, all my games. They take that drive. Just come out and see me for the weekend and drive back. That’s love. It doesn’t get much stronger than that.”

Q: Who on the team is your emergency contact?
A: “I would probably say Jourdan Hale-Frater. He’s one of our offensive linemen. He’s been my dawg for a minute. He was with me at Akron my freshman year, too. He’s from the same city as me.”

Q: Who’s the funniest person on the team?
A: “I’ll probably say Tyler Miller, for sure. He’s always going to have you smiling.”

Q: Who’s your top musical artist?
A: “I’ll say either J. Cole or Kanye.”

Q: If you had a walkout song, what would it be?
A: “’War With Us’ by NBA YoungBoy.”

Q: How would your teammates describe you?
A: “They would probably just describe me as a pretty quiet dude. More laid back. Don’t get me wrong. I definitely talk to people, I definitely get out. But I mostly stick to myself. I don’t do too much. I really just worry about me.”

Q: Knowing everything you know now, what would you tell your 10-year-old self?
A: “Stay true to yourself, don’t doubt yourself and everything else will take care of itself.”

Q: Favorite EIU uniform combination?
A: “The all black.”

Q: Who is an unsung hero of the EIU football program?
A: “Probably Jacob Hillmann, our strength coach. Or Alexis [Fenrick], our trainer. They help keep our bodies right and get us prepared for the game.”

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].