SDSU Recruit Ineligible Under New NCAA Academic Rules

Running back Daryl Crawford will attend San Diego State this semester, despite being ineligible to play this season because he did not meet the academic qualifications set by Proposition 48.

Crawford, a 1986 graduate of Montgomery High, will be able to compete as an Aztec freshman in 1987 because he is not receiving an athletic scholarship this year.

Although Crawford had a grade-point average of higher than 2.2 at Montgomery, he did not meet the minimum requirement of 660 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, said John DeVore, who coached Crawford last year.

Crawford was among five San Diego County athletes signed by SDSU this year. David Woodhouse, a Bonita Vista linebacker, since has signed to play baseball a with the Milwaukee Brewers. Mark Hayes, a Crawford defensive end, made a verbal commitment to SDSU but later signed with Arizona State.

The remaining local recruits are defensive tackle Demetrius Bell of Morse, offensive tackle Jason Bill of Escondido and placekicker Tom Wurth of Monte Vista.

Under National Collegiate Athletic Assn. rules, Crawford will not be able to participate in games or practices this season.

“We don’t think he’s much of a gamble,” Coach Denny Stolz said. “He’s a good student. He would’ve definitely been one of the top freshman candidates (to make the team) this year.”

Buzz Eckhardt, a defensive tackle from Valley High in Las Vegas, is also ineligible to play this year because of Proposition 48.