Transfer season in high school football has begun as two local powers found out this week.
The start of the second semester brings, for some, brings with it a new beginning and new school. Such is the case for standout receiver Dylan Crawford, who left St. Francis for Santa Margarita this week, and running back Kameron Johnson, who left Monrovia for Cathedral.
Crawford, a junior, is one of the nation’s top recruits and has college offers from UCLA, USC, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma, to name a few. He He had 44 receptions for 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014.
Crawford’s father said Thursday the decision to leave St. Francis was based on his son’s academics. St. Francis head coach Jim Bonds declined comment.
“Our family has nothing but great feelings for St. Francis and wish them the best in all things,” Crawford’s father Glenn said. “The decision was made to accommodate academic options that would allow Dylan to graduate high school a semester early and allow him to start his life as a collegiate scholar-athlete.”
Aram’s take: Uh … what? This one is a shocker. Some things to keep in mind here: Crawford is close friends with Santa Margarita QB KJ Costello, a top recruit in his own right. But Crawford, unless there’s some sort of craftiness, is risking being a sit-out as far as CIF transfer rules go. Word is that Crawford wanted to graduate early so he could begin practicing with whatever college team he chooses this spring. St. Francis supposedly doesn’t offer its students that luxury. As for St. Francis, this is definitely a big blow. Talents like Crawford don’t come around these parts often and the Knights could have used his services to have another big season. Leading rusher Areg Nazarian is back. Junior-to-be QB Miles Bryant has tons of upside and flashed what he could do in the playoff vs. La Serna. The stage was set for SF to have a monster offense again if Crawford returned.