My area code: The 618 — the country life — with Tanner Farmer

Tanner Farmer grew up near Highland, Illinois.Hometown: Highland, Illinois.

Year/position: Senior center.

Of note: The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Farmer started the season at right guard before moving to center for the Northwestern game. He has appeared in 28 games, including 27 starts.

To represent the 618 … "It means a lot to me. A lot of people don't know about my area, especially from around here. I'm from southern Illinois, so being able to see that, being able to look it up and see where I'm from and to represent my hometown, that's nice. That's the area that molded me into the man that I am today."

I'm actually from Alhambra (north of Highland). "That has about 100, 200 people in it. I've…