The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE quarter of the NBC broadcast. "I'm humbled and honored to make this decision, and I will be at- tending the University of Michigan," Crawford told the nation. "It is the best fit for me." The 6-2, 183-pounder has the op- portunity to have an immediate im- pact on the Wolverines' receiving corps. Crawford — the No. 20 senior in California, and the No. 26 wide receiver and No. 129 overall pros- pect nationally — has a natural role in the slot, with the chance to also play w i d e d o w n t h e road. "He catches ev- erything, that's the thing with him," Rivals.com national director of recruit- ing Mike Farrell said. "I haven't s e e n h i m re a l l y drop anything. He's not the fastest, he's not the biggest, but he's a good techni- cian. He's a smart kid. He'll fit right in with what Harbaugh wants to do because he's a willing blocker as well. I think he's a well-rounded receiver." Less than two weeks later, Long followed his good friend in don- ning a Maize and Blue cap in a tele- vised commitment. An official visit to Washington and an in-home visit from Harbaugh (which drew national headlines when the U-M headman climbed a tree in the Longs' front yard) were the final steps necessary to wrap up his recruiting story. His pledge came on ESPNU's "Re- cruiting Nation" program and helped build buzz for Michigan heading into National Signing Day (that momen- tum would pay off, with 10 of U-M's 28 signees committing after Long's choice). "It's just a great place," Long said. "I sat down and thought about the d e c i s i o n , w h e re would I want to be if football didn't pan out and things didn't go just how I thought they would on the field. Michi- gan is a place where I can build my rela- tionships, network a n d e x p e r i e n c e school." L o n g w a s t h e bigger grab from a r a n k i n g s p e r- s p e c t i v e . R i v a l s r a n k e d t h e 6 - 0 , 187-pounder as the No. 15 senior in California, and the No. 9 cornerback and No. 81 overall prospect nationally. "He has proven to be one of the best cornerbacks in the West, if not the country," said Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney. "On an island, in one-on-one coverage, he's phenomenal. He's very comfort- Dylan Crawford was a consensus four- star prospect after eclipsing 800 receiv- ing yards in each of his final three prep campaigns. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM