MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Cornerback Antonio Crawford, whose three-year stint at Miami ended in February amid tweets about feeling disrespected, announced Sunday he plans to transfer to West Virginia.
The 5-11, 198-pound Crawford appeared in all 38 games since signing with the Hurricanes in 2012 out of Tampa (Fla.) Plant High, but he made only two starts—both during 2013. Projected to be the team’s top nickel corner again next season, he complained via Twitter on Feb. 21 that “I’m a piece of gold that gets treated like a piece of silver, therefore I’m out!!”
That same day, Crawford also tweeted: “All I wanna do is play ball the way I know how and be happy.”
By Feb. 28, Miami coach Al Golden had released Crawford from his scholarship, and several schools surfaced as potential transfer destinations, including Arizona, Houston and South Florida.
Crawford reportedly has not graduated from Miami and thereby must sit out next fall before becoming eligible for his senior season in 2016. By then, West Virginia would be looking to replace Terrell Chestnut, Ricky Rumph and Jaylon Myers (all of whom are seniors next season.) There’s also a chance rising junior Daryl Worley could be gone if he plays his way into becoming an early draft entry.
Rivals senior writer Keenan Cummings reported Sunday night that West Virginia defensive assistant Damon Cogdell was the key to bringing Crawford to Morgantown for a visit during the Gold-Blue spring game.
It didn’t hurt that Crawford’s hosts during the weekend at West Virginia were two other Florida products, Karl Joseph and KJ Dillon.
Crawford made 58 career tackles for the Hurricanes and broke up eight passes, with his lone interception coming in 2013 during a 24-21 win at Wake Forest.
Rivals rated him a three-star prospect in 2012 when he chose Miami over Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Florida International, South Alabama, and several MAC offers.