Four-star receiver Dekel Crowdus chooses Kentucky over Oklahoma, Ohio State
Lexington football star Dekel Crowdus is staying close to home.
Crowdus, who will be a senior at Frederick Douglass High School in the fall, committed to the University of Kentucky on Sunday, his birthday. He announced his decision via an Instagram video.
Both 247Sports and Rivals — the two dedicated recruiting services — rank Crowdus as a four-star prospect and as a top-50 wide receiver in the country. In the ESPN 300 ranking, Crowdus is rated No. 224 in the nation. Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Tennessee were among the other schools from whom Crowdus reported offers.
He is the eighth commit in Kentucky’s 2021 class and the highest-ranked player to choose the Wildcats as part of the current recruiting cycle. If he ultimately signs with UK, Crowdus would become the third-highest offensive skill player to join the program during the tenure of head coach Mark Stoops after Lynn Bowden and Michael Drennen II, the latter of whom was a late addition to UK’s 2020 class.
Crowdus ran a 4.40 laser time at The Opening last summer.
“Some guys are fast on the track but not fast on the football field,” Allen Trieu, a recruiting analyst for 247Sports, told the Herald-Leader. “He’s fast on the football field. He can cut at full speed and create separation. He’s a big-play guy and I think, when you look at what college football and the NFL are moving toward … I think he fits into the mold of next-era receivers.”
After playing his first two seasons at Douglass, Crowdus transferred to IMG Academy in Florida. Crowdus played at IMG last fall but re-enrolled at Douglass during the spring semester. His eligibility status for his senior season has not yet been determined by the KHSAA.
During his sophomore season — the last year for which complete records were available — Crowdus led the Broncos in receiving with 831 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 37 receptions, averaging 22.5 yards per catch. He also rushed for 65 yards and a TD on eight carries that season.
Crowdus, whom UK offered during the summer prior to his sophomore season, became the third in-state player to commit to UK as part of the 2021 class, joining Somerset quarterback Kaiya Sheron and North Hardin running back La’Vell Wright. Out-of-state players Chauncey Magwood (wide receiver), Paul Rodriguez (offensive lineman), Kahlil Saunders (defensive end), Armond Scott (wide receiver) and David Wohlabaugh (offensive lineman) have also announced commitments to UK.
