Crutchfield still considering Hogs, but felt rushed
University of Arkansas target and consensus 4-star receiver Courtney Crutchfield plans to wait until February to announce his college decision.
“I won’t be committing in December,” Crutchfield said. “I will be pushing it back to February. I won’t commit until February.”
Crutchfield, 6-2, 175 pounds, of
Pine Bluff committed to Arkansas on April 23 over Tennessee, Missouri, Auburn, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Kansas State and others.
He reopened his recruiting on Nov. 4 but is still very much considering the Hogs.
“We still communicate,” Crutchfield said of Arkansas. “It’s going good. The bond will always be there with the coaching staff. I have nothing bad to say about them. They may have had a few slumps this season but that’s not the reason I decommitted. I just felt like I rushed my decision.”
Crutchfield said he talks to numerous Arkansas coaches.
“I pretty much talk to all of them every other day,” Crutchfield said.
Derek Kief joined the Arkansas staff as senior offensive quality control coach in March and was elevated to receivers coach after Kenny Guiton was named interim offensive coordinator prior to the Florida game after perviously being the receivers coach.
Kief played receiver for Alabama from 2014-18 before being a graduate assistant at Maryland and coaching receivers at Towson.
“I talk to coach Kief a lot,” Crutchfield said. “I talk to him the most. He’s a pretty cool guy. I feel like he can relate to how young players play now days so I feel like he’s a pretty cool guy, so he would be a great coach.”
Crutchfield said he’s also talking to Missouri, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee and Auburn.
He plans to take some official visits before chosing a school.
“I’m supposed to sit down with my family and talk to them about [where] I’ll take visits to,” Crutchfield said.
Crutchfield, who took an official visit to Arkansas in June, said he also plans to make an unofficial visit to Fayetteville. His mother and stepfather will accompany him on his trips.
He recorded 25 receptions for 706 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as 6 carries for 46 yards in 9 games as a junior.
He had 32 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions as a defensive back and also returned 13 punts for 204 yards and 1 touchdown.
As a senior, Crutchfield made 53 catches for 1,297 yards and 19 touchdowns and had 8 carries for 32 yards and a touchdown. He also had 14 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception as a defensive back.
Crutchfield returned 6 kickoffs for 114 yards and a touchdown while also returning 4 punts for 88 yards.
On3.com industry ranking has Crutchfield listed as the No. 19 wide receiver nationally and the No. 102 overall recruit in the country for the 2024 class.
Crutchfield broke down how he will make his decision.
“First off, bonding with the coaches,” he said. “That starts with the official visits. The offensive scheme. Which scheme that fits me the best … that will help me help my game a little more.”