If This Happens, Razorback Fans Will Finally Remember Mizzou Has Football Team

Tigers' Drinkwitz possibly stealing top Arkansas recruit will light fire where only apathy currently exists

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Nov 6, 2023 9:28 AM EST
Original:
Nov 6, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When news came down Saturday morning just before the start of the Arkansas game against Florida that 4-star wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield had decommitted, it raised an eyebrow, but the initial reaction wasn't one of surprise in the allHogs.com offices.

Literally seconds later, as Arkansas went up 14-0 on Florida, a light-hearted agreement that Crutchfield won't be off the commitment list long if this is how life without Dan Enos will be in Fayetteville. However, there is genuine cause for concern that might be the spark that finally lights a fire under a faux rivalry that has been forced on Arkansas fans over the past several years.

The initial forecast is Crutchfield abandoned Arkansas so he can go play for Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri Razorbacks fans view Missouri as recruiting competition much in the same vein as they do Arkansas State, but if this turns out to be true, that changes instantly.

Not only does that instantly make it possible for Arkansas fans to remember Missouri both exists and is in the SEC, it finally makes them a target if this actually happens on signing day. It will even go up an extra notch if Crutchfield drags along his cousin, Charlie Collins, a high 4-star defensive lineman out of Little Rock Mills.

Collins and Crutchfield have not only been the two highest rated players in the Arkansas recruiting class, the two have been so attached at the hip throughout the recruiting process they are believed to be a package deal, which now raises great concern for the Razorbacks.

“We were always going to play together,” Collins told Sports Illustrated. “We just had to decide on where ... It was just a great feeling to know we are going to be reunited as teammates and play together again,” Collins said. “I am looking forward to being roommates and seeing my buddies (Jabrae Shaw) and (Anton Pierce).”

It should be noted crystal balls have been wrong before on the duo. Collins said they were initially predicted to end up at Ole Miss or LSU even though that wasn't the case. A decision to team up at Arkansas had come together at a family Easter gathering. However, if they both end up in Columbia with Drinkwitz, it will be a massive blow to the program and a strong reason to feel something other than apathy about Mizzou.