Dual-sport athlete Sam Craft gives Tigers pledge

Dual-sport athlete Sam Craft gave Memphis football coach Justin Fuente his first class of 2013 commitment this afternoon. Craft made the decision to stay home over Mississippi State, North Carolina, and Cincinnati. After spending three years at Craigmont High School in Memphis, Craft will finish up his high school career at Olive Branch High School in Mississippi.

Class of 2013 football/basketball prospect Sam Craft committed to Memphis today, his father just told me. He plans to play both sports.

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) June 5, 2012

Standing at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, Craft plays point guard and is a dual-threat quarterback in football. While Craft may wind up playing quarterback for Coach Fuente, he could end up at cornerback or even in a slot role because of his athleticism.

Josh Pastner will also gain from Fuente’s good fortune. According to NCAA bylaws, a prospective student athlete attending a Division I school as a dual-sport athlete to play football and basketball must sign for a football scholarship. Essentially, Craft will sign a football scholarship with the University of Memphis and will be a walk-on with the basketball team. As a point guard, Craft has an extremely high basketball IQ, knows how to run a team and is a guy that others love playing with.

247Sports gives Craft a grade of 80 as a dual-threat quarterback with a three-star rating. Craft is a also a consensus three-star point guard.

About the Author

Brooks Hansen

Brooks is the founder and brains, if you can call 'em that, behind Memphis Roar. As the primary writer and scouting director for Memphis Roar, Brooks travels to prep sporting events across the country and brings you the latest on Memphis-relevant news. Brooks has big hands and is thumb-wrestling champion in 43 states. His favorite piece of advice would be if a clown offers you a hamburger and it’s not Ronald McDonald, do not eat the hamburger. A lesson learned the hard way. Brooks received his Bachelors of Arts and Sciences from the University of Memphis in 2005 in Psychology (minor of Philosophy and Biology) and went on to pursue his master’s degree in Experimental Neuroscience. Google+

See all articles by Brooks Hansen ( 275 ).