Crabtree makes leap to NFL riches official
By Jaime Aron | AP SPORTS WRITER
PLANO – Two years of college football, two years of being chosen the best receiver in the country. There wasn’t much left for Texas Tech’s Mike Crabtree to accomplish.
So now he’s eager to see how he’ll do in the NFL.
Texas Tech wide receiver Mike Crabtree made his announcement on Tuesday. He's leaving Tech for the NFL.
Crabtree said Tuesday he’s giving up his final two years of eligibility because he thinks he’s ready for pro football. The first challenge is finding out how high he’ll go in the draft.
“As far as I’ve seen, top 5. That’s what I’m striving for,” Crabtree said.
Tall, strong and fast enough, Crabtree averaged 120.3 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game in college, extraordinarily high numbers even in coach Mike Leach’s video game-esque offense.
His career totals of 231 catches for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns would be remarkable over three or four years. Compiled over only two years, it’s no wonder he was an All-American both seasons and was a two-time winner of the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. He was fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy this past season.
“I feel like the next level will be a big challenge for me and I’m looking forward to it,” Crabtree said.
He’s already taken to the lifestyle of a star pro receiver.
Crabtree held his news conference at an upscale hotel in a suburb north of Dallas. It was orchestrated by Deion Sanders, and there was talk of the advice he’s gotten from another buddy, Michael Irvin.
In the parking lot outside, his car bore the license plate “Crab 5.” The same message was attached to both front doors. The car was as shiny as the pair of diamond earrings Crabtree wore.
Some folks from Wells Fargo were among his many well-wishers, underscoring his other motivation for turning pro now – cashing in on his success without risking injury or a substandard junior season, which is possible considering the Red Raiders will be breaking in a new quarterback.
“It was hard when I was little. Money was a big problem,” Crabtree said. “I feel like this was the best decision.”
Sanders and Irvin already have given Crabtree plenty of advice.
“The main thing is, it’s work. It’s your job now,” Crabtree said. “You’ve got to wake up every day working.”
Former Olympic champion Michael Johnson will oversee Crabtree’s pre-draft training. The top priority is improving his speed, although he also must get over an ankle injury that slowed him during the Cotton Bowl, when he was held to a career-low 30 yards receiving.
Crabtree will attend the combine, but won’t run. He’ll save that for a Pro Day event that will be held in Dallas.
“I’m a learner,” he said. “I just can’t wait to learn. I’m ready.”
Also on hand Tuesday was Texas Tech defensive end Brandon Williams, who announced his intentions to turn pro the day before. The reigning Big 12 sack leader is projected to be a third-round pick, but that was good enough for him.
“A lot of the coaches wanted me to come back, but I talked to my parents and we decided it was time to go,” Williams said.
Associated Press writer Betsy Blaney in Lubbock contributed to this report.
TECH FOOTBALL/Receiver expects to be top five pick in draft.
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yea TECH!
This is the greatest day in Tech sports history!!
Just hope the NFL doesn’t start a minor league type farm system and sign them directly out of junior high.
If they did that, according to you guys, they’d be no college football, since that’s it’s sole purpose.
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I personally think it’s sad that the NFL & NBA allow these kids to enter the draft at such a young age. True they are considered “adults” but money seems to make idiots out of those who are seemingly of adult age. What happens if Crabtree gets injured next year & can no longer play pro sports?!?!? If he’s like most other “young” players they don’t invest their money wisely & so what does he have to fall back on?!?!? 2 yrs in college won’t get most people a decent job these days…….
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If Crabtree gets injured next year after going pro, he’ll have many, many millions of dollars to fall back on. If he get’s injured while at Tech, he gets the little bit of cash (comparatively speaking) that he is insured for. He can always go back and get his degree, if he decides that’s what he wants to do.
This was the best decision for him to make and I wish him the best. Best of luck to you Crabtree, you’ll be missed in the Red and Black!
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I hope he excells in the NFL, on a good team.
I heard a rumor that OU’s McCoy and Bradford could end up with the Chiefs.
Wouldn’t it be cool if Harrell and Crabtree both went to the same team? Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals???
Harrell should learn under Warner, Crabs could break records there with a veteran Qb’s arm soon after he arrives
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Pete you are completely off. Cardinals do not have an early pick in the draft (21st pick to be exact) so the chances of Crabtree going to them probably wont happen. Even if he were to go to the Cards, he wouldn’t play. They are stacked at reciever with Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston.
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This is MC’s choice and he has made what he things is the best. That is all anyone can do.
His time at TTU has been a joy.
Best wishes for great success at the next level.
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Yep; so glad something made it to the next level .
I’m in the minority – hoping it would be the team.
yea tech; guns up!!!!!!!!
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yes james i know the cards won’t get crabtree, and definitely not both.
it was a “wouldn’t it be cool” statement
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well, the bradford rumor proved a rumor.
he will stay at OU. good move. i doubt he’d make in the NFL
UNLIKE HARRELL AND CRABTREE!!!!
(they will do well)
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so Lubbock (Tech) could be the pro farm team for the Cowboys; UT for the Houston team, & so forth.
the universities could get rent for the stadiums and not have to pay for coaches, schlorships, travel, etc. & save a bundle for the long-suffering taxpayers. The NFL corporate owners would pay federal & state taxes on the profits & also help the taxpayers.
what a deal. so I say – sign after junior high & start a farm (minor league) for the NFL.
signees / players would be happy & not have to pretend to be students and care about the schools.
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