Four-star UK commit Dekel Crowdus ruled eligible to play in Kentucky this fall
One of the top recruits in the University of Kentucky’s 2021 class is good to go for the high school football season.
Dekel Crowdus, a four-star prospect at Frederick Douglass High School who’s committed to the Wildcats as a wide receiver, was ruled eligible by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association last week, Broncos head coach Nate McPeek told the Herald-Leader.
Crowdus played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Douglass before transferring last season to IMG Academy in Florida. Crowdus re-enrolled at Douglass in January but had not been allowed to participate in any workouts organized by the team due to eligibility concerns. His availability for the fall was in doubt until last week.
The KHSAA on Tuesday announced that it would delay the start of its fall sports seasons, disrupting football schedules across the state. The first competition date allowed for football is now Sept. 11; Douglass currently is scheduled to host Paul Laurence Dunbar that night.
A 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior, Crowdus committed to Kentucky in May, choosing the Cats from an offer list that also included Ohio State and Oklahoma. He currently is one of 14 players committed to UK as part of the 2021 class, and one of four in-state standouts to have done so. In addition to Crowdus, Somerset quarterback Kaiya Sheron and North Hardin stars Jordan Lovett (safety) and La’Vell Wright (running back) have announced commitments to Kentucky.
Crowdus is set to become the first player from Frederick Douglass, Lexington’s newest high school, to sign with UK. Since opening in 2017, Douglass in three seasons has compiled a 35-5 overall record and is unbeaten against other teams in the city (18-0). The Broncos played in the Class 5A championship game last season, falling 14-7 to Covington Catholic.
Kentucky has offered several other players at Douglass, including another senior, Jager Burton, who’s considered one of the top offensive lineman in the country.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 2:11 PM.
