Scheduling an OV to WVU a 'No-Brainer' for 2025 Defensive Lineman

West Virginia makes the first move for Elijah Crawford.

Class of 2025 defensive lineman Elijah Crawford (6'4", 270 lbs) of the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland has scheduled an official visit to West Virginia for June 7-9.

Crawford holds offers from Akron, Charlotte, Connecticut, Indiana, Liberty, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and a few others but the Mountaineer coaching staff is ahead of the game securing the first visit.

"I really want to see these other schools at a spring practice before I decide to take an official," Crawford told Mountaineers Now. "Just talking with them (WVU, I really felt the interest in me, but also desire to help me achieve my goal. It was almost a no-brainer that I wanted to take an official there."

Crawford was identified and offered by ShaDon Brown, who he sees as a "genuine" coach whom he has a really good relationship with. Over the course of his recruitment, Crawford began to speak more with defensive line coach Andrew Jackson to learn more about his potential role in the WVU defense.

"Talking to Coach Jackson, just with my frame right now they see me as a 3-tech. But they love watching film and finding pass rush matchups so they think there could be some instances where I get as far out as a 5-tech for 3rd downs."

Although West Virginia is the first school to land an official visit date with Crawford, he doesn't have them, or any other school for that matter, as a top choice. He is willing to keep things open deep into the spring/summer before zeroing in on a top list. 

That being said, WVU has already proven to be a player in his recruitment.

"Their emphasis on recovery and making sure their players are always at their best is impressive. And then also just their 5th Quarter Program which really hones in on life after football and how they make sure their players are taken care of."

FCS Tight End Lands WVU Offer, Plans to Take Official Visit