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For Longhorns latest pledge Kitan Crawford, Texas always felt like home

The four-star athlete became the first defensive commitment for Texas and credits the family feeling.

By Gerald Goodridge and Wescott Eberts
SB Nation: Wescott Eberts

For newly-minted Texas Longhorns commit Kitan Crawford, who announced his pledge just days ago on June 21, the logic behind his decision to shut down his recruitment was pretty simple.

“It felt like home and I had to pull the trigger,” Crawford told BON’s Wescott Eberts at the Texas 7-on-7 Championship tournament. “It felt like that the first time I visited.”

Throughout his recruitment, the hyper-athletic Tyler John Tyler star built a relationship with Texas cornerbacks coach Jason Washington, who has made a name for himself in finding and developing top defensive talent. For Crawford, however, the reasoning behind wanting to develop under Washington at the next level was much more personal.

“Coach Washington is like a stepdad,” Crawford said. “I can call him any time I want and he’ll answer it. We have that relationship.”

Such a strong relationship is largely why Texas, just weeks after hosting him for an unofficial visit in mid-March, made Crawford’s top three list, and also why more recently when he renewed his top list, swapping Baylor for the Sooners as a top team, Texas remained alive and well.

A little more than two weeks later, Crawford became a Longhorn, essentially serving as the first defensive addition to Texas’ 2020 class.

As a junior, Crawford excelled all over the field for John Tyler, which explains why he’s listed as an ‘athlete.’ Courtesy of blazing speed — Crawford recorded a 10.60-second 100-meter dash time — he totaled 269 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and hauled in three receptions for 78 yards and another score as a junior. On the other side of the ball at cornerback, Crawford amassed 30 total tackles, 12 pass deflections, and two interceptions.

He’s currently ranked as the nation’s No. 190 player overall and as the No. 8 athlete, per the 247Sports Composite, but the Longhorns recruited Crawford as a cornerback, and he told BON that he “feels comfortable” at the spot.

The Longhorns plan to give Crawford a look as a returner, as well.

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