Sam Webb on Watkins/Crawford

"Academics first," Crawford said. "Building a relationship with the coaches, the players, and playing time. Those are the biggest factors." "First, great academics," echoed Watkins. "I'm looking for that, and then the team where I fit at with their schemes the best and where I feel comfortable at." One factor both say won't play much of a role in their decisions is distance from home. "I do not really have a preference," insisted Crawford. "It is wherever I feel comfortable. If it is in the South, it is in the South, but it is near Canada like up here, then it is near Canada." Watkins feels similarly. "I think I can handle it," he said. "It's the game of football. You're going to go other places and you're going to get the same weather."

Both players have tentatively added Michigan to their official visit lists. According to [Coach] Redhead, their positive visit experience -- especially their interaction with the coaches -- is the major reason why. "Michigan did not say, 'We're going to put you here and I promise you that you are going to play,'" Redhead said. "They never said any of that. They are 100 percent honest, which is good. "I've known a few of them (the coaches) for a long time from when they were in Florida coaching. It is very, very positive. They just said if you are willing to work, willing to do the right thing, and play hard, you're going to have a good shot of playing. That's all that you can ask. In my position as their coach, just be honest with them upfront and help them make a well informed decision."

"We're looking to make it happen," Crawford said regarding the possibility of attending the same school. "We want it to happen, but if it does not, then it does not. We've just got to do what's best for each of us."