Transfer CB Crandall finds opportunity, fit at West Virginia
Colorado State cornerback TJ Crandall wasn’t hurting for options.
Crandall, 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, received offers from a long list of schools including West Virginia, UCLA, Michigan State, Louisville, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, California, Purdue, Cincinnati, Wake Forest, Arizona State and Oregon State after entering the transfer portal Dec. 4.
And after mulling over his choices was able to narrow his list down to a top two of West Virginia and UCLA, visiting both programs on back-to-back weekends.
And in the end, it simply came down to opportunity in his decision to pick the Mountaineers.
“I chose West Virginia because I could feel the need they have losing Beanie Bishop and Malachi Ruffin,” he said. “I know where I’d fit and I’m able to prove myself in the Big 12.”
The decision was a relief for Crandall who now plans to enjoy the rest of his break prior to enrolling at West Virginia in order to compete during the spring.
Related: West Virginia Mountaineers: Transfer 101: TJ Crandall
Crandall played 10 games for the Rams as a true freshman last season where he recorded 19 tackles and an interception while earning high coverage grades. A big cornerback, Crandall possesses impressive ball skills and given the fact he had three years remaining in his career made him even more of a priority.
“The coaches see my potential to come in and start but that is obviously earned, and I need to show up and play to my abilities and earn that,” he said.
The Washington native believes that the scheme is a great fit for what he brings to the table because it allows the cornerbacks to play loose and make plays on the ball. That was evident by what Bishop, another player who was pulled in from the transfer portal, did this past year.
Secondary coach ShaDon Brown as well as head coach Neal Brown played a key role in his decision and Crandall never had to question where he sat in terms of being a priority.
“They were serious about me,” he said.
Now with his second recruitment behind him, Crandall is excited to arrive in Morgantown and get to know his current teammates better as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
“I want the fans to know we’re going to bring West Virginia a Big 12 championship,” he said.
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