Georgia’s wide receiver prospects explain why Josh Crawford was a good hire for Kirby Smart

The former Georgia Tech receivers coach has joined the Bulldogs’ coaching staff at running back.

Kirby Smart’s hiring of James Coley isn’t the only move that will benefit in-state wide receivers in the Class of 2025.

Georgia is focusing heavily on recruiting Peach State wideouts this year. Prospects such as Travis Smith Jr., CJ Wiley, Thomas Blackshear, Sam Turner, Gerritt Kemp, Jamauri Brice, and many more hold Georgia in high respect, thus the switch from Bryan McClendon to Coley could have impacted things.

Smart made a wise decision, however, when he hired former Georgia Tech receivers coach Josh Crawford as running backs coach.

Regardless of the position change, those wide receiver targets took note.

“With the hire of Coach Crawford at Georgia, now that’s he’s the running backs coach, that’s a huge plus for them,” Smith Jr. stated in a press release. “Coach Crawford was one of the primary reasons Georgia Tech was in my top eight. “The fact that he’s been hired is definitely a plus for them.”

So, what makes Crawford special?

Smith used much of the same verbiage Georgia running backs have used regarding Dell McGee in the past. He is genuine.

“Really, he’s a fantastic guy. He has a wonderful family. He accentuates this when you’re speaking with him. “You can feel that energy when you talk to him,” Smith Jr. added. “As a coach, he holds his players accountable, but he also supports them. I know some Georgia Tech players who tell me about Coach Crawford. He never changes. He always behaves the same way. Coach Crawford is undoubtedly a wonderful person.”

Smith Jr. went out of his way to highlight Crawford and the value he offers to Athens.

CJ Wiley, the top wide receiver target, did the same. They had a romance that began when Crawford was a student at Georgia Tech. Similarly, Wiley maintained regular contact with Coley during his time at Texas A&M and South Carolina.

The bond between Wiley and Crawford is going to pay off handsomely.

“He kept in contact with me a lot at Georgia Tech,” Wiley was quoted as saying. “He is going to maintain a good relationship with you. He’ll check in on you every day to see how you’re doing and such.

Crawford’s background as a high school and college coach across the state has been frequently referenced. He previously coached at Greater Atlanta Christian, Colquitt County, Lee County, and Valdosta before entering the college levels at Georgia Tech and, most recently, Georgia.

Few coaches are more familiar with Georgia recruitment. Smith Jr. stated that it shows.

“Definitely, he knows Georgia,” Smith Jr. said. “He has relationships with men all across Georgia. With him being a Georgian and coaching all around Georgia, that’s absolutely a good thing.”