KU football loses pledge from prep D-end, who commits to K-State

By Benton Smith Dec 10, 2017

Kansas University football recruiting

Mark off another name from the Kansas football team’s list of potential high school signees in the 2018 recruiting class.

Grandview, Mo., defensive end Cartez Crook-Jones, one of the eight initial preps to commit to David Beaty’s program this past February, now plans to sign with rival Kansas State.

A 6-foot-3, 230-pound lineman rated a three-star prospect by Rivals, Crook-Jones announced his altered plans to commit to K-State via Twitter on Sunday, after visiting the Manhattan campus with high school teammate Shane Cherry, who also pledged to sign with the Wildcats.

Crook-Jones’ change of heart came 10 months after former KU defensive line coach Michael Slater recruited him.

At the time, the D-end was one of eight prep commitments on board with Kansas. Only cornerback Corione Harris, running back Anthony “Pooka” Williams — both from Louisiana — and Texas quarterback Clayton Tune remain from that group (Tune backed out, too, in October and then jumped back on board in November).

Crook-Jones, defensive back Aaron Brule, receiver Ja’Marr Chase, defensive tackle Nelson Jenkins and five-star receiver Devonta Jason all have since de-committed after making non-binding verbal declarations to sign with Kansas.

A Landry-Walker High teammate of five-star prospect Jason and four-star Harris, New Orleans defensive end Josh Smith re-opened his recruiting process, reneging on his commitment to Kansas, a few days before Crook-Jones’ and Jason’s decisions became public knowledge.