Pitt Extends Offer to Standout Arkansas State Defensive End

Now that Dayon Hayes is officially in the transfer portal, the Pitt coaching staff can’t wait long to upgrade the defensive ends. As such, the first transfer defensive end has received an offer.

Keyron Crawford — a 6-foot-4, 240-pound rising junior defensive end from Arkansas State — picked up a Pitt offer Tuesday afternoon. He’s a big, physical edge rusher who has earned the chance for a start at the Power Four level.

Crawford was a three-star recruit out of Briarcrest Christian in Memphis, Tenn. in the class of 2022, and he chose the Red Wolves over Power Five offers such as Iowa and Nebraska — as well as Austin Peay, East Tennessee State, Tennessee State, USF, UT Martin and Western Kentucky.

Since entering the transfer portal this spring, he’s already received offers from Cal, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Pitt and Virginia Tech.

Crawford was an impactful edge rusher at Arkansas State, recording 39 pressures, 27 hurries and four quarterback hits in pursuit of the opposing quarterback last season. He racked up 44 tackles (22 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup.

In two seasons at Arkansas State, Crawford recorded 58 tackles (28 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries sand two pass breakups.

Pitt has a need at defensive end, considering Hayes hit the portal this week, and Crawford is the type of portal prospect that would be able to come in and immediately compete for a starting spot, while still having a handful of seasons at his disposal.

Nate Matlack looks like he’s going to have a good season. He’s more suited as an edge, which he is able to be in Pittsburgh. He’s a good player to have, a veteran voice who should produce on the field. Bam Brima has been around for a while, but he’s likely more of a rotational player than anything else.

Jimmy Scott showed some flashes last season, but he’s only taken 109 defensive snaps in his career. That is more than any of the younger defensive ends though.

David Ojiegbe was a highly ranked recruit out of high school in 2023, but he only played a handful of snaps for Clemson last season. I think he’ll be in the two-deep. He’ll have to be. Antonio Camon, Maverick Gracio, Zach Crothers and Edwards have never taken a snap at the college level — Crothers and Edwards just got to Pitt in January.

Edwards has turned heads throughout the spring, and while he’s young, he himself expects to make an impact this season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s able to work his way into the two-deep by the time the season starts.

The transfer portal will take Hayes away, but it can also be used to bring in further reinforcements, of course. Tim Daoust and the coaching staff will surely look to add to the room.