Dekel Crowdus made strong impression during spring practice

The wide receiver position figures to be a team strength for Kentucky football in 2023. However, depth needs to emerge behind the star power at the top of the roster.

Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tayvion Robinson are a strong top three options, but some other receivers will need to step up and provide productive snaps. In year three, Dekel Crowdus is looking to become a reliable player for offensive coordinator Liam Coen and wide receivers coach Scott Woodward. The former four-star recruit in the class of 2021 out of Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass made a strong impression this spring.

“Dekel really took it upon himself to really dial in and really push himself and trying to elevate his game. Be more consistent,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s only shown flashes and he has the ability. Think he’s been a much more reliable player. Happy for him. I think he’s really worked hard.”

After taking a redshirt season in 2021, Crowdus played in 10 games in 2022 logging 71 snaps and reeling in four receptions on six targets for 82 yards. The Wildcats are now hoping Crowdus is ready to make a third year leap. Coen noticed the redshirt sophomore taking a different approach early in spring ball.

“Dekel went down to Florida over spring break and was working with some really good football players around the National Football League and college landscape,” Coen said. “So I think he’s taking football really seriously right now and I’m excited to see some of the improvements that he makes throughout this spring to be able to give us some role on this offense.”

Crowdus will now look to carve out a role as a vertical field stretcher in an offense that will likely look to pass the ball more in 2023. Consistency will be key for the speedy in-state wideout and the rest of the offense. That will be a coaching point throughout the summer.

“The routine needs to be routine,” Stoops said to close spring practice. “Pitch and a catch for five yards it’s gotta be five yards or more. Not zero. Second-and-10 is much different than second-and-five. Those are some of the things we just have to be a little bit more consistent on.”

Dekel Crowdus will look to provide that consistency the head coach is looking for after an impressive performance during spring camp.