K-State wins recruiting battle with Cincinnati & Florida for Juco defensive lineman
The Kansas State football team received some excellent news on the recruiting trail on Tuesday, just a few hours before the arrival of early signing day.
Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, a 6-foot-6 and 297-pound defensive lineman from Butler Community College, has announced that he intends to play for the Wildcats next season as a junior-college transfer.
K-State did not get involved with Alcorn-Crowder until late in his recruitment, but Chris Klieman didn’t need much time to win him over. He committed to the Wildcats after taking an official visit to campus with a pair of other players who recently pledged their services to K-State, North Dakota offensive lineman Easton Kilty and high school running back De Von Rice.
This feels like an important recruiting victory for the Wildcats. Alcorn-Crowder was heavily recruited by both Cincinnati and Florida. He also held scholarship offers from Houston, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, South Carolina and USC.
Alcorn-Crowder also plays a position of need, as the Wildcats have been on the hunt for defensive linemen to replace departing seniors and transfers in their front seven.
He is the first defensive lineman to join K-State’s recruiting class of 2024, which now boasts 15 players. He is expected to sign with K-State on Wednesday.
Alcorn-Crowder made 28 tackles, seven sacks and two fumbles for Butler last season. He will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Wildcats.
K-State also dipped into the junior college ranks for another new pledge on Tuesday when it landed Dante Thomas from Southwest Mississippi State.
The 6-foot-1 and 175-pound safety chose the Wildcats over Coastal Carolina, UAB and New Mexico.
This story was originally published December 19, 2023 at 5:11 PM.