One of James Franklin’s top recruiting targets chose to be at Ole Miss this weekend instead of Penn State
Lane Kiffin and Co., are hosting one of the top junior signal callers.
Cheshire Academy (Conn.) quarterback Keegan Croucher announced via his Twitter account he will be back in Oxford, Miss., this weekend for the LSU-Ole Miss game.
The four-star prospect is from the northeast and many speculate the Nittany Lions are the team to beat. But, instead of being at Beaver Stadium for College Gameday and No. 5 Oregon at No. 2 Penn State he will be in the Grove for the Magnolia Bowl.
Lane Kiffin, Charlie Weis, Jr., and Joe Judge have made Croucher a priority but it remains very interesting he chose to be at Ole Miss instead of in Happy Valley to see two of his finalists go at it in primetime for a white out game.
Keegan Croucher is saying all the right things if you’re an Ole Miss fan.
Croucher spoke with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong back in July about his upcoming trips and what he thinks of a few of the top programs in the country. He kicks things off in September when Ole Miss hosts LSU.
“I love their offensive coaching staff,” Croucher said. “You start with the head coach who is an offensive guru. Then Coach Weis as their OC and what he has done is phenomenal. Also the addition of Coach (Joe) Judge as their quarterbacks coach last year. Having a coach who has been at all levels and knows football better than anyone else is awesome to have.
“They’ve been one of my favorites so far. Can’t wait to see them this year.”
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Even though he’s not at Penn State this weekend, the Nittany Lions and Oregon are still in this.
“Oregon has done an excellent job in my recruitment,” Croucher said. “I’ve been in touch with them a lot. Their offense speaks for itself. Coach (Will) Stein has done a tremendous job with the offense and their quarterbacks. They have one of the best recruiting classes every year.
“Very excited about Oregon as well.”
His final excursion will take him all the way back across the country closer to home. He’s unsure of when, but Croucher plans on going to see a game at Penn State as well.
“Penn State, I’ve been in touch with the longest,” Croucher said. “Coach (Danny) O’Brien and Coach (Andy) Kotelnicki have done a tremendous job with recruiting me. I’ve been there four times, so I’m very familiar with the staff.
“I love what they are doing and did with Drew Allar as their quarterback. I think I play like him a little bit. I’m excited to get back down there. It is closer to home. Only about a four-hour drive so that’s nice.
“Excited to see what they do this year.”
As a sophomore, Keegan Croucher threw for 2,052 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Before arriving at Cheshire Academy, he prepped at Fonda‑Fultonville (N.Y.) where he tossed it around for nearly 3,000 yards and 31 scores. Sports Illustrated’s Kevin L. Smith did a Q&A with Croucher earlier this summer to discuss his mindset under center and what being a big-time recruit is like.
“I’ve played quarterback my whole life,” Croucher said. “It’s the only position I’ve ever played. I’ve always wanted the ball in my hands. I’ve taken everything I learned back at home and throughout my career and brought it to Cheshire.
“It’s been an amazing process. It’s been busy in the springtime, and I expect it will be that way in the summer,” Croucher said. “I’ve had a lot of people helping me through the process, so I’ve just been enjoying it while looking at all the schools and my options.”
