How Southern Miss football landed QB Ethan Crawford, 2023 dual-threat recruit
It's not what you know. It's who you know.
Hillcrest three-star 2023 quarterback Ethan Crawford committed to Southern Miss football Tuesday, three days after he was offered on an unofficial visit to the Golden Eagles.
Crawford became involved with Southern Miss two years ago, when former coach Jay Hopson offered him. He wasn't re-offered by second-year coach Will Hall until June.
Hillcrest coach Jamie Mitchell, a Mississippi native, is friends with Hall's father, Mississippi high school coaching legend Bobby Hall. Mitchell has known Will Hall his entire life.
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Mitchell's relationship with the Hall family helped Southern Miss in a way no other program could rival.
Crawford, the No. 73 quarterback according to the 247Sports Composite, picked Southern Miss over Tulane, Georgia State, Miami (Ohio), Army, Navy and Jacksonville State.
"We have had our share of epic battles versus each other," Mitchell said of coaching against Bobby Hall. "Watched Will grow up and play all the way through. He's a fantastic coach."
Crawford was an All-State second team selection after he passed for 2,297 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 885 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. He was honorable mention as a sophomore.
Crawford, the 2021 Tuscaloosa News all-area football Player of the Year, led Hillcrest to the AHSAA 6A semifinals for the first time since 2017.
The Hillcrest connections with Hall don't end there. Hall has played and coached with other coaches on Mitchell's staff. Crawford has an abundance of trust in and comfort with Hall.
"Me knowing (Will Hall) so well because of the relationship he has with (several) of my coaches, it just helps it out for me and him," Crawford said.
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Jerell Rushin is a recruiting reporter for the Tuscaloosa News and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jrushin@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @JerellRushin_.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Southern Miss football lands QB Ethan Crawford: Here's why he chose USM
