The Times (Shreveport)

Early look

Former Green Oaks WR Crawford to practice in Bossier City

- Jimmy Watson

Louisiana Tech football fans will get an early look at a guy who could be the school’s next great receiver on Tuesday when the Bulldogs visit Bossier City’s Freedom Fields for a workout before Saturday’s spring game.

Former Green Oaks wide receiver De’Coldest Crawford, who signed with Nebraska in 2021 after decommitti­ng from LSU, is slated to be on hand for Tech’s Red River Run Through, which opens for fans at 5:30 p.m. next to First Bossier Church.

Crawford, a former 3-star recruit and Shreveport Times All-City player, caught 50 passes for 813 yards as a junior at Green Oaks, and had 30 catches for about 200 yards as a senior with a freshman quarterbac­k. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Crawford was injured in the 2022 Husker fall camp and was redshirted his only season with the Cornhusker­s.

Huntington’s Zyion Claville and Kendrick Rucker, Airline’s Daxton Chavez, Benton’s Logan Smith, Loyola’s Ean Burch and Northwood’s Ja’Marrion Kennedy are additional Shreveport­Bossier athletes expected to participat­e.

While attendance and parking are free for the fan-friendly event, food trucks will be on hand selling food. There will be tailgate games and the Bulldogs will arrive at 6 p.m. with their practice session to begin by 6:30 and end at 8 p.m.

Following the practice, there will be an autograph signing session with the players.

“Our staff and football team are excited about returning to the Shreveport­Bossier area for our annual spring practice,” Tech coach Sonny Cumbie said in a release. “Last year’s practice was a huge success, and this year will be no different with the support of all of our alumni, fans and lettermen in the Shreveport-Bossier area.”

Tech’s spring game is slated for 11 a.m. Saturday inside Joe Aillet Stadium.

The Bulldogs are seeking improvemen­t from last season’s 3-9 record, which included six consecutiv­e losses to end the campaign. Tech will have six home games this fall including bouts with FCS Nicholls State and Tulsa.

Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveport­times.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatso­n6.

 ?? LOUISIANA TECH MEDIA RELATIONS ?? The Louisiana Tech football team will hold a practice session at Bossier City’s Freedom Fields at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
LOUISIANA TECH MEDIA RELATIONS The Louisiana Tech football team will hold a practice session at Bossier City’s Freedom Fields at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

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