Tag: Quavaris Crouch

Former Michigan State football LB could be nearing new home

A former MSU linebacker may have found his new home

Quavaris Crouch had a very interesting career in East Lansing. Crouch came to East Lansing with a lot of hype and performed fairly well in his first season with the program, but the second year went the complete opposite.

After taking a year off of football, it appears Crouch could be finding his new home. Crouch visited Charlotte recently, and may find himself a home there.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

 

Michigan State linebacker enters NCAA Transfer Portal

MSU has lost a linebacker to the transfer portal

At the conclusion of spring practices, it is common to see a lot of attrition on rosters across college football. Michigan State has lost another member of its team to the transfer portal, this time in the form of Quavaris Crouch.

This move comes with very little surprise, as the linebacker room has gotten very crowded throughout the offseason. With only two spots on the field, the Spartans have a linebacker room of incoming transfers Aaron Brule, Jacoby Windmon, returning players Ma’a Gaoteote, Cal Halladay and Ben VanSumeren, and Darius Snow – who moved from safety to linebacker this offseason.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

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MSU Football Burning Question: Who will be Spartans’ top defensive playmaker this season?

Who will be Michigan State’s top defensive playmaker this season? The Spartans Wire staff offers up a few different players to follow in 2021

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Who will lead the Spartans’ defense in 2021 and stand out as the unit’s top playmaker? The Spartans Wire staff take a look at numerous guys that could be game-changers for a group looking to rebound in 2021.

With the Michigan State 2021 season set to kick off next week, the Spartans Wire staff is offering up their thoughts and insight on numerous hot topics and burning questions surrounding the team. That includes a look at Michigan State’s defense and who could potentially stand out as the team’s top defensive playmaker.

Here’s who the Spartans Wire staff thinks will have a big season for the Michigan State defense:

Three Spartans listed in 247Sports’ Top 100 transfers rankings

Three new Spartans are ranked amongst the top 100 transfers in the country, according to 247Sports.

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Three new Spartans are ranked amongst the top 100 transfers in the country, according to 247Sports.

Clint Brewster of 247Sports outlined his top 100 transfers from this offseason, and three incoming transfers for Michigan State cracked his list. Those three Spartans are:

  • No. 79 – RB Kenneth Walker III (from Wake Forest)
  • No. 82 – LB Quavaris Crouch (from Tennessee)
  • No. 98 – LB Itayvion Brown (from Minnesota)

On the flip side of that, none of the many Spartans that have left the program through the transfer portal made this list. So that would suggest Michigan State has experienced quite some success in adding talented players via the portal while not losing any true key contributors.

I personally believe Walker and Crouch could be higher on this list based on the type of production they had at their previous schools. But it’s still impressive and nice to see these three guys recognized amongst the top 100 transfers in the country.

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Michigan State football lands big time transfer Quavaris Crouch

Michigan State has landed LB transfer Quavaris Crouch from the University of Tennessee. The former 4-star is a huge get for Mel Tucker.

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Mel Tucker has done absolute wonders using the transfer portal to reshape Michigan State’s roster. The Spartans have now landed 13 players via the portal.

Today might have been the most impactful transfer get of the cycle, the Spartans have landed Quavaris Crouch, a linebacker from Tennessee.

Coming out of high school, Crouch was ranked the 61st best player in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings. A highly touted 4-star, Crouch has played in 22 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons at Tennessee.

In his two seasons with the Volunteers he had 85 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. It is presumed that Crouch will be coming to Michigan State with two or three years of eligibility left.

Mel Tucker has showed, once again, his ability to recruit the transfer portal and land big time players that will help the Spartans in the immediate future.

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Quavaris Crouch announces transfer destination

Quavaris Crouch entered the NCAA transfer portal in January.

Quavaris Crouch entered the NCAA transfer portal in January.

The former Tennessee linebacker announced his transfer destination on Tuesday.

Crouch will play for Michigan State in 2021. Mel Tucker enters his second season as the Spartans’ head coach.

Oct 19, 2019; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) throws a pass that was intercepted as Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Quavaris Crouch (27) pursues during the first half of an NCAA football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Crouch, started all 10 games for the Vols in 2020.

He finished the year with 57 tackles for the Volunteers, who went 3-7 last season. The 2020 campaign was a SEC-only schedule.

Crouch appeared in 23 games for Tennessee during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, totaling 85 tackles.

The former Vol came to Tennessee from Harding University High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Quavaris Crouch enters transfer portal

UT linebacker Quavaris Crouch enters NCAA transfer portal.

University of Tennessee linebacker Quavaris Crouch entered the NCAA transfer portal after Volunteers’ head football coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired Monday amidst an NCAA investigation of UT’s football program.

Crouch, a sophomore inside linebacker for the Vols, started 10 games for the Big Orange in 2020.

He finished the year with 57 tackles for the Volunteers, who went 3-7 last season. The 2020 season was a SEC-only schedule.

Crouch is the second starting linebacker to enter the transfer portal since Pruitt was dismissed as Tennessee’s head coach. Henry To’o To’o, another sophomore starter in UT’s linebacking corps, also entered the transfer portal earlier this week.

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Jeremy Pruitt coaching Tennessee’s defensive line ‘has been a big difference’

Jeremy Pruitt coaching Tennessee’s defensive line has been a big difference.

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee has an open date in Week 6 of its league-only SEC 2020 campaign.

This is the second week of practices for Jeremy Pruitt overseeing Tennessee’s defensive line unit. The third-year Tennessee head coach relieved Jimmy Brumbaugh of his duties overseeing the defensive line following a Week 4 loss to Kentucky.

KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 27, 2020 – Defensive lineman Elijah Simmons #51 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

On Wednesday, sophomore linebacker Quavaris Crouch discussed Pruitt coaching the defensive line.

“If you look back at it, he coached linebackers, he’s coached everything — it has definitely been a big difference,” Crouch said of Pruitt coaching the defensive line. “I feel like he’s getting a lot out of the defensive linemen and I’m thankful for him being there.

“I play inside linebacker, so I have to play behind them. I’m grateful for Coach Pruitt being there and proud of my d-linemen working hard this week for us to get better.”

KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 27, 2020 – Defensive lineman Kurott Garland #79 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

Jeremy Pruitt discusses Quavaris Crouch playing on both sides of the ball

Jeremy Pruitt discusses Quavaris Crouch playing on both sides of the ball.

KNOXVILLE — Quavaris Crouch enters his sophomore season at Tennessee in 2020.

The 6-foot-2, 241-pound Charlotte, North Carolina native spent time at linebacker and as a goal line and short-yardage running back last season.

Crouch totaled 28 tackles, one tackle for a loss, 0.5 sacks and two pass deflections last season. On offense, Crouch rushed for nine yards on seven attempts and scored two touchdowns. His longest run was four yards.

Quavaris Crouch
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Following Tennessee’s first practice of fall training camp ahead of the 2020 campaign, third-year UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed Crouch and his role on offense and defense this season.

“I don’t know how many touches he’ll get on the goal line,” Pruitt said of Crouch this season. “He’s moved to inside linebacker, which is probably his most natural position, he has ability to rush on third down, so it’s one of those deals.

“Last year, he played inside and outside, predominantly outside, but we like to recruit guys that can play all four positions and he’s a guy that fits that mold. We’ll see about the goal line as we get closer to the season.”

Quavaris Crouch could replicate A.J. Johnson in Jim Chaney’s ‘The Beast’ package

2020 UT football player card: Quavaris Crouch

2020 UT football player card: Quavaris Crouch

Quavaris Crouch, linebacker (No. 27)

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6-2

Weight: 241

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

High School: Harding University

Crouch is one of the more fascinating players on Tennessee’s defense. A versatile linebacker, he will likely spend more time inside next to Henry To’o To’o simply due to the Vols’ needs. Crouch finished 2019 with 28 tackles, one TFL, and half a sack. He also scored two touchdowns as a running back, and will likely continue to line up in the backfield during goal line situations. The former blue-chip prospect was recruited as both a linebacker and running back, and has gotten the opportunity to play both at Tennessee.

Crouch should take another step forward as a leader and pass rusher on defense, while still providing the Vols with a physical presence at running back in short-yardage situations.

2020 Tennessee football schedule

  • Sept. 5 vs. Charlotte (Knoxville)
  • Sept. 12 at Oklahoma (Norman)
  • Sept. 19 vs. Furman (Knoxville)
  • Sept. 26 vs. Florida (Knoxville)
  • Oct. 3 vs. Missouri (Knoxville)
  • Oct. 10 at South Carolina (Columbia)
  • Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
  • Oct. 24 vs. Alabama (Knoxville)
  • Oct. 31 at Arkansas (Fayetteville)
  • Nov. 7 vs. Kentucky (Knoxville)
  • Nov. 14 at Georgia (Athens)
  • Nov. 21 vs. Troy (Knoxville)
  • Nov. 28 at Vanderbilt (Nashville)