Crutchfield Decision Just Took Sudden Left Turn

Pine Bluff wide receiver down to two teams, changes when he intends to sign

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Dec 13, 2023 10:44 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a short while, Arkansas fans are going to know.

After Pine Bluff wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield decommitted from the Razorbacks just before the Florida game, there were two main lines of thought:
1) There's no way he ends up at Arkansas now.
2) There won't be a decision until the traditional signing date in February.

In a video interview with Nate Olson of SI.com's SBLive following a Pine Bluff basketball game recently, Crutchfield blew both of those ideas out of the water.

"I've got a visit to Missouri this weekend," Crutchfield said. "I was talking with Coach Pitt today, like I told him, it's still 50-50. So, I'm still undecided where I'm going to go."

In years past, plenty of in-state recruits have openly said they still had Arkansas in the mix when in actuality they weren't. The statements were just to get the more extreme fans to leave them and their families alone for as long as possible. However, they weren't directly telling the coach they were still legitimately in the mix.

Considering Razorback fans were convinced Crutchfield to Missouri was pretty much a done deal as soon as the news of his decommitment came out. The program was in disarray and, despite the first-ever win over the Gators, continued to be. Still, Crutchfield insists that wasn't the reason he backed off.

"I decommitted right before the Florida game," Crutchfield said. "It's not because of what they was having going on up there on The Hill. I just felt like I rushed my decision."

Razorback fans had hoped the re-affirmed commitment of Crutchfield's cousin, Little Rock Mills defensive lineman Charleston Collins, might sway him. However, Eli Drinkwitz landed Pine Bluff running back Austyn Dendy, which Tigers fans are convinced helps them.

However, Crutchfield said he won't be influenced by either player. Instead, it appears to be the hiring of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino that has helped Arkansas nudge its way back into full consideration,

"It went good," Crutchfield said of last week's visit from Petrino and Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman. "I liked it for sure, for sure. It was an All-American presentation. It was good support from them coming down showing their face and showing love."

He then dropped a bit of a surprise. When asked about signing in February, Crutchfield's facial expression shifted, making it clear Olson had stumbled into news he wasn't meant to know yet. Unable to deny something was up, the receiver admitted he plans to post up a flyer soon letting everyone know he will sign Dec. 19. He then clarified that visiting Missouri so close to his signing date should not be considered an indication of which way he's leaning or an advantage.

"[The deciding factor will be] a place that I can call home," Crutchfield said. "And first and foremost, I've got to talk to my parents overall."