Cal 3-star DB commit Jayden Crowder shuts down recruitment

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Jayden Crowder committed to Cal in November but North Carolina would not give up.

Tar Heels position coach Armond Hawkins has a unique connection to Crowder since his father coaches the Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic three-star cornerback in 7on7.

That gave North Carolina a special opportunity to flip Crowder or at least get him to Chapel Hill on a visit.

But after Crowder took his Cal official visit in June and saw the plan laid out by position coaches Terrence Brown and Allen Brown, the Santa Margarita prospect completely shut down his recruitment.

Crowder did not take his North Carolina trip. His recruitment is over.

“I’m locked in all the way,” Crowder said at the Battle at the Beach tournament.

“Just being locked in is great. I had an official visit to North Carolina and I didn’t go. Stayed here. My official visit with Cal was amazing so after that me and (Terrence Brown) are locked in.

“There is a bunch of pressure off. I get to play the season, no worries.”

One of the biggest factors for Cal winning out is that the Golden Bears put three defensive backs in the NFL Draft and over the last few years have done a great job developing players at those positions.

“Especially with TB and AB it was just the development they had from all the DBs, three went in the draft this year, it’s just that process back-to-back years and they had a lot drafted since a few years ago,” Crowder said.

“Just seeing that, knowing I could go there, that was good.”

The race was tight – and North Carolina battled hard – but in the end, Crowder has found his next home in Berkeley.

“I talked to (Hawkins) every day,” Crowder said. “Him and TB. It was back and forth. Just seeing that presentation about how many DBs they get out and knowing my goal, I can go there and lock in for three or four years and I’ll be good there so I’m locked in.”

And Crowder is excited to get Cal turned around the right way. The Golden Bears had frustratingly close losses to Florida State, Miami, Pitt, NC State and Syracuse last year. Crowder sees similarities to his junior season at Santa Margarita.

“I’m ready,” Crowder said.

“It’s just like SM. In Trinity League last year we were losing by a point or two to Bosco and JSerra. I see what they’re going through. That coaching staff there is going to get it right. I watched a couple practices and I saw how they coach so it’s just like back here and it feels like home. I know it’s going to be way better.”