Pine Bluff receiver Courtney Crutchfield flips from Arkansas Razorbacks to Missouri Tigers
PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS - Four-star Pine Bluff wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield announced Tuesday morning in a public ceremony that he will sign with the University of Missouri on Wednesday when the early football signing period opens.
"There was a nice vibe there with the coaches, and that was the biggest thing," he said. "It felt like home."
Crutchfield, a 247 Sports four-star composite recruit, originally committed to the University of Arkansas in April with his four-star defensive end cousin, Charlie Collins, but in November had a change of heart and re-opened his commitment.
"I want to thank all of the Arkansas coaches for recruiting me but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture and do what is best for you," he said.
His final four choices were SEC programs with LSU and Auburn joining the Tigers and Razorbacks. Crutchfield also had offers from South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt from the SEC. Oklahoma and Kansas State were also included in the group, among others.
There will be a distinct Pine Bluff flavor on the Mizzou campus.
Crutchfield joins current Pine Bluff teammate Austyn Dendy, who flanked him at the ceremony Tuesday, inking with the Tigers. Jordon Harris, who prepped at Pine Bluff, is a freshman at Mizzou.
Collins remains committed to Arkansas and makes that decision official Wednesday evening in his native Pine Bluff after finishing his high school career for two seasons at Mills University studies up the road in Little Rock.
"I already knew (about the decision)," Collins said. "Courtney and I have been together every day since he got home from the visit. I knew every detail about everything. I was on the phone the whole time, he was on the official visit and everything.
"I will see him at the battle line. I told him I am already 2-0 (in high school). They are going to have to catch up."
Crutchfield caught 42 passes for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Zebras this season. He totaled 25 receptions for 706 yards (28.24 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns, and he had six carries for 46 yards in nine games last season. At defensive back, he racked up 32 tackles, three tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and five interceptions.
247Sports ranked Crutchfield the No. 1 prospect in Arkansas, the No. 12 receiver in the nation and the No. 57 prospect overall.
He was recently selected to play in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6 at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio.
Crutchfield played four sports at PBHS. He was an all-state guard on the Zebras Class 5A state championship basketball team last winter. He is hoping to help the Zebras defend their title this season. He also ran track last spring and has played baseball during his time at the school.
--Nate Olson
