Gameday Extra

10.17.2020 CRAWFORD WAITING HIS TURN Fans dreaming about the offensive playmakers Arkansas should have on the field next year should not forget about one who is just biding his time in residency this season. Former Rockdale, Texas speedster and wide receiver transfer Jaquayln Crawford (5-10, 175 pounds, 4.38) is a Razorback redshirt this season after spending the past two seasons at Oklahoma. The former ESPN four-star prospect chose the Sooners over Georgia, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas and Texas A&M among others. He should fit as a slot receiver and kick returner. Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman lauded the pick-up during a late July Zoom call after Crawford joined the Razorback program. "Very dynamic slot," Pittman said. "A receiver who you go back and watch his tape, he was electric in high school and obviously contacted us. I think we finished second on him two years ago or whatever it was. I like him. He has a great momma. He's got a lot of speed and I think he's going to be a dynamic slot for us, I really do. We're really excited about getting him in here." Crawford had 153 catches for 2,569 yards, 4,145 all-purpose yards and 55 touchdowns in his high school career. He had 23 touchdowns his senior season for Rockdale head coach Jake Campsey while leading his team to a Class 3A Division I state title in 2017. "He is so dynamic with the ball in his hands," Campsey said. "He could do it all. He played quarterback for us, running back and receiver, which is what he really is. And he started on defense. He was in or virtually every play and was the ultimate do it all guy. He was better than everybody at every position he played for us. It was really incredible to watch." All of his skills were on display in the 2017 championship game in which Rockdale fell behind 21-0 in the second quarter before rallying to a 45-29 win over Brock at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium. Crawford had four tackles, a key fumble recovery, caught 2 passes for 82 yards (74-yard TD catch), rushed 9 times for 57 yards and another TD (41- yard run) and completed a 19- yard TD pass to Tulsa signee Torry Lockin in the win. "He is just such an incredible athlete, but he also has what I call the 'It' factor," Campsey said. "If the ball is in his hands at the end of the game, he is going to win the game for you. He sure did that for us at Rockdale." Crawford is practicing with the Razorbacks now and will go on scholarship in Jan. 2021, counting toward that class' 25 scholarship allotment. Arkansas has 19 commits besides Crawford in the 2021 class including four wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs and a tight end. Crawford committed to Oklahoma on March 17, 2017 although he did take a late visit to Arkansas on Dec. 14-16 when new head coach Chad Morris became coach. Morris and wide receivers coach Justin Stepp had given Crawford his first college offer on April 29, 2016. "I know Jaqualyn thought so high of Coach Stepp and all of us here kind of built a relationship with him," Campsey said. "I think he is just an outstanding guy." That was something Crawford remembered after he redshirted as a wide receiver at Oklahoma his first season before being moved to defensive back in year two. Stepp was retained by Pittman and that led to Crawford making it to Fayetteville. "Coach Justin Stepp was the first coach to offer me in high school and four years later still believed in me more than anyone," Crawford tweeted. "Can't wait to get to work for him!" COMMENTARY DUDLEY E. DAWSON HOW WE SEE IT OLE MISS VS. ARKANSAS Jaquayln Crawford is practicing with the Hogs after transferring from Oklahoma. Walt Beazley/University of Arkansas THE ONLY ONE-PIECE COVERED GUTTER 479-234-4147 | 1-800-LEAFGUARD www.leafguardandmore.com Fall = Clogged Gutters Football LeafGuard brand by Englert is the original and only one- piece gutter system, with a built-in hood that covers the gutter bottom and deflects leaves and other debris. This unique, seamless design keeps debris from collecting in your gutters which: • Prevents clogs from forming • Keeps water flowing freely • Eliminates leaks and the threat of water damage • Makes climbing ladders to clean gutters unnecessary Say Goodbye to CloGGed GutterS! Get leafGuard gutters, a unique patented system designed to stay clog free. leafGuard is the only seamless, one-piece leaf protection gutter system on the market. C A L L T O D AY Best BestNWA.com of Northwest Arkansas the CLAY HENRY HAWGS ILLUSTRATED Winning on the road is tough in the SEC. Never has that been emphasized like this trip to Auburn. Arkansas won the game, but the SEC office sent the Razorbacks to their plane wondering how it didn't show up on the final scoreboard. Arkansas has to avoid letting that call beat them twice in a row. The mental agony must be flushed before the Ole Miss offense makes it to Fayetteville. It is the biggest challenge yet for Sam Pittman. He can get it done. Arkansas, 34-31. MATT JONES WHOLE HOG SPORTS Ole Miss is scoring 42 points and giving up 52 points per game. This game should hinge on how often the Razorbacks can keep the Rebels out of the end zone. It's tempting to pick Ole Miss based on differences in offense, but this pick is based on one team showing it can make some stops on defense and one showing it cannot. Arkansas 48-40. DUDLEY E. DAWSON HAWGS ILLUSTRATED This game might be the most entertaining one played in Reynolds Razorback Stadium this season. Lane Kiffin's Rebels are a little bit more down the road in the rebuild than Sam Pittman's injured-riddled Razorbacks, but both head coaches have things going in the right direction. Ole Miss, 42-28. SCOTTIE BORDELON WHOLE HOG SPORTS If Treylon Burks is able to play, I think it's possible we see a big-time showing from Arkansas' offense against a sad Ole Miss defense. It is allowing more than 50 points per game this season. Feleipe Franks has found something of a rhythm the last couple of weeks and that is encouraging. He has a productive day through the air, and the Razorbacks' defense does just enough at home to grab SEC win No. 2. Arkansas, 38-34. TYE RICHARDSON THE MORNING RUSH Heartbreaking loss to Gus and Chad. SEC office has a lot of explaining to do. Time to respond at home. Arkansas, 38-31. BART POHLMAN THE HOG POD Lane Kiffin has the Ole Miss offense humming. But as good as they are on offense, they're that bad on defense. Arkansas has been playing well as of late, and will be motivated and angry after having a win taken away against Auburn. The Hogs do enough to get the win. Arkansas, 31-30. TOMMY CRAFT THE MORNING RUSH If Lane Kiffin's offense can score 48 points on Alabama, it makes me believe that Ole Miss will be the best offensive team the Hogs have played this season. Can they keep up or will the Arkansas defense slow Ole Miss? Arkansas, 33-30. SETH CAMPBELL WHOLE HOG SPORTS Arkansas' defense has performed exceptionally well this year, but they will tested like no other against Ole Miss. I think the defense comes up with a big stop in the fourth quarter and the Hogs pull it out. Arkansas, 42-35.. www.innisfreeseniorliving.com "Treating you like family" NOBODY'S PRICES OR CARE CAN COMPARE IN NWA! Innisfree Senior Living We are cheering on our College Team this season! GO TEAM! 300 Innisfree Circle Rogers, AR 479-636-7363

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