SPPs Crayton is Fordham-bound
Fresh off four seasons of high school football at New Jersey's Jesuit high school, Jared Crayton will head across the George Washington Bridge to continue his gridiron career at another Jesuit institution.
Crayton, who was St. Peter's Prep's top rusher this fall, has committed to Fordham University, choosing the Rams over UMass, Towson, Delaware State and Wagner.
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"It's a great school and a great opportunity for me," Crayton said. "It's a good fit: out of state but not too far from home but I think I can get playing time early."
Crayton revealed that it took a conversation with his head coach, Rich Hansen, to ultimately sway him in Fordham's direction.
"Coach Hansen spoke to me about it, telling me how I was No.1 on their board," he said. "There were other schools that had me No.1 also, but what made me commit was how great of an opportunity I'd have (at Fordham). Now I have to make the most of it."
After running for 13 scores and catching three others this fall, Crayton piqued the interest of the Rams' coaching staff with his improved athleticism.
"The coaches are really excited I'm going there. They are impressed with my increase in speed from junior to senior year," Crayton said. "They think I read the holes pretty well. Coach Rodriguez, the offensive line coach, he likes what I do and says it works well with their offense."
Coming off a year where he replaced the heralded Savon Huggins, Crayton assessed his performance and the state of the Marauder program, which finished 7-4.
"I honestly think that my senior year, obviously team-wide could have gone better, but personally I could have done better too," he said. "I had a minor injury at the beginning of the season. I didn't get rolling until later on in the season.
"The team was young. They're going to pick it up next year, Mark my words, St. Peter's Prep will be a state champion next season."