New USC offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will certainly lean on his previous contacts in Arkansas and other parts of the Southwest in making his recruiting rounds for the Gamecocks. One of those he has reconnected with since arriving in Columbia is WR Courtney Crutchfield (6-2 175) of Pine Bluff, AR. Crutchfield is one of the better receiving prospects in the country, and Loggains recently moved the Gamecocks into the picture with an offer.
“He’s a nice coach,” Crutchfield said. “I just started talking to him, so we’re kind of still forming a bond. He said I’m a baller all-around, basically saying I’m an outstanding player. He likes to say if you’re not balling, we’re not calling. I found that funny.”
The next step in the process for Loggains is getting to know Crutchfield better, and vice-versa.
“I really don’t know anything about the Gamecocks, but I’m looking forward to knowing something about them,” Crutchfield said. “I’m supposed to visit, like the end of March.”
Crutchfield visited Arkansas in January. He said he will also take spring visits to Oklahoma, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU and Missouri. He also has offers from Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Auburn and LSU among others. He says the schools love his versatility because he could also be a defensive back in college.
“Most of the phone conversations be like the offense (coordinator) and the DC (defensive coordinator), they are fighting over me to see what side of the ball I’m going to play,” Crutchfield said. “I also play corner and safety. South Carolina likes me for a receiver.”
Last season Crutchfield estimated he had around 30 receptions for around 700 yards and 14 touchdowns.
How hard is USC going after wide receivers for the 2024 class? Unofficially we show the Gamecocks with 25 wide receiver offers to this point.
Yea we better go after some receivers for the ‘24 class. Looking at my best guess for our depth chart in 2023, 5 of the 6 players on it will be gone after this season. Nyck Harbor will be the only one left. There are a few others that I think are capable of making a spot on the 2024 two deep, but they probably won’t get much, if any, experience this year with all the veterans in front of them. I’m guessing the transfer portal will help us fill out the 2024 depth chart though.