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SPORTS
Crawford commits to Marshall
Huntington High quarterback C.J. Crawford stiff-arms an opponent during the first half of the football game against Midland on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2008, at CMHS.
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HUNTINGTON — Securing elite local talent serves as the heart of college football recruiting classes.
Marshall University's program stepped forward Thursday evening, securing a verbal commitment from Huntington High School all-everything student-athlete C.J. Crawford. Arguably the Tri-State's most versatile senior, Crawford plans to sign with the Thundering Herd in February.
Crawford's commitment kicks off a recruiting week, which continues today with four official visits.
Following a standout junior season at quarterback, Crawford lined up behind center, at wide receiver (primarily) and took handoffs. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Highlander rushed for 467 yards and six touchdowns on 63 attempts, added 343 yards and two TDs on 27 receptions and completed 19 of 50 passes for 274 yards with one score against four interceptions.
Crawford's best was saved for his high school finale, totaling 174 yards of offense and four touchdowns in Huntington High's lone victory, a 35-20 win over Nitro. He visited Purdue and Arkansas following the season and also received offers from the Razorbacks and Wake Forest.
"Marshall is always where I felt like I needed to go," Crawford said. "Why do I need to go somewhere else when Division I football is right here and (I can) get an education?
"It felt like the best thing."
His profile elevated during Crawford's junior season, as he completed 129 of 230 passes for 1,611 yards and 13 touchdowns against four interceptions while also rushing for 492 yards and seven scores. Crawford owns times of 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.41 in the shuttle and boasted a 33-inch vertical leap during camp workouts.
The most intriguing aspect of Crawford's commitment is potential. Wide receiver, tight end and defensive back all are realistic positions for the future Thundering Herd player.
Crawford welcomes all options, but the playmaker offered an early preference.
"I'd like to be on offense, wide receiver or somewhere touching the ball," Crawford said. "I feel I'd be a better fit, but defensive-wise I'll do what I can if I can get playing time.
"I'll do what I can do."
Especially interesting is the prospect of Crawford adding weight and emerging into a Cody Slate-type mismatch at tight end. Crawford is well aware of that notion. Slate, a rising Marshall senior, is a two-time All-Conference USA selection.
"(Marshall head) coach (Mark) Snyder talked about that," Crawford said. "Anywhere I can get on the field."
Meanwhile, junior college recruiting season gears up with this month's signing day looming. Three of at least four potential recruits recently capped junior college careers, including a pair of teammates.
Laney College (Calif.) standouts Troy Evans and Travis Ford have received strong western-based Division I-A interest. Evans ranks among the nation's most diverse offensive and special teams threats, while Ford is a speedy free safety.
Last season, Evans averaged 162 yards total offense a game, ranking sixth among California junior college players. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound athlete totaled 407 rushing yards, 268 receiving, 224 on punt returns and 559 on kickoffs.
Evans earned All-American honors in 2007, averaging 13 yards on punt returns and 30 on kickoff runbacks. He averaged 12.4 yards on punt returns in '08. Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas State, Oregon and Wyoming have offered Evans, who has been timed at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Ford, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound defensive back, similarly blends speed and power. His 40-time is listed at 4.5, drawing reported interest from Arizona State, California, Kansas, Oregon and Utah.
Joining Evans and Ford from California is Aaron Gress, also noted for his athleticism. The 6-0, 222-pound weak-side linebacker led College of the Sequoias with 39 tackles in 10 games, including four for loss and he intercepted a pass.
Delivering times of 4.44 seconds in the 40, a 4.61 shuttle time, a vertical leap of 34.7 inches and 13 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press earned Gress SoCal All-Combine Team honors from JCFootball.com.
Wide receiver is a need position entering 2009 and Jamal Wilson prominently factors. The 5-11, 176-pound wideout from Oscar Smith High School (Va.) has signed a letter-of-intent with Marshall and follows up today with an official visit.
Wilson recorded 620 yards receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. Timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40, Wilson also was offered by Maryland, Northern Illinois and Akron.
