USC Among Final 5 Schools for 4-Star Cornerback Maliki Crawford
Four-Star Oxnard (CA) Cornerback Maliki Crawford revealed his Final 5 Schools Friday morning. USC, UCLA, Washington, Oregon and Cal earned spots. They’ll also get official visits from the talented Pacifica HS athlete. His USC Official Visit is set for June 16-19.
When USC offered Crawford, it appeared the Trojans would likely have a solid shot at signing him.
“They’ve always been one of my top schools, so I just feel blessed to have the opportunity,” said Crawford.”They have tradition and a lot great players have come out of the program. So, it means a lot”
Crawford committed to UCLA not long after the Trojans offered.
But despite UCLA having a winning record in 2021 (8-4) and annihilating USC 62-33 at the Coliseum Nov. 20, Crawford announced his decommitment from UCLA on Janaury 23.
A week later he was on campus at USC for Lincoln Riley’s first Junior Day as the Trojans head coach. USC hired Riley on Nov. 29.
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He’s visited USC twice since then and remains one of the Top targets for Donte Williams and USC.
“USC became attractive to me with them hiring Coach Riley,” said Crawford.”He was at Oklahoma, they were winning there and now he’s at USC. Now he’s trying to build a winning culture and turn USC into a national championship team. So, that’s definitely something very appealing to me. His accountability system and how they feel they can develop me stands out too.”
Riley is one of the most engaged head coaches when it comes to recruiting and Crawford already speaks to him regularly.
“I talk to Coach Riley pretty regularly,” he said.”I mostly talk to Coach Donte with Coach Grinch tapping in with me about as often as Coach Riley.”
Crawford’s last USC was April 23, but his March 27 visit was the most impactful with his family joining him.
“The visit I took yesterday was really solid. It was better (than previous visits), because I got to spend more time with the coaching staff. I enjoyed how comfortable they made my family and I feel as well. Watching practice was awesome too! It was real intense and the coaches stress detail with the players. I definitely want to go back up there again sometime soon.”
