Former Clemson signee heading to Memphis

The University of Memphis is already off to a fast start to the 2009 recruiting class in the JUCO ranks, having already picked up three junior college commitments. This week, the Tigers did some retroactive work in the JUCO ranks, signing former 2008 Clemson commit Jarrett Crittenton after the 6-foot-6 defensive end was released from his Clemson LOI.

"I had some issues with my transcript and the admissions people at Clemson they really didn't want me to come in and struggle so they went ahead and released my from my letter of intent," Crittenton explained. "Coach Rumph had coached at Memphis and he called Coach Helton at Memphis and I signed with Memphis."

The whole process happened extremely quickly for Crittenton but the Georgia native felt comfortable on the Memphis campus when he visited.

"I feel comfortable with it," he said. "When I went out to the place, I liked it. I liked the community. I was a big, known school but everything was close and around the area. All the guys I met on the team, they were real cool."

Crittenton will be on campus come August after finishing up one class at North Dakota State College of Science in summer. When he does arrive the four-star JUCO prospect is confident he can contribute.

"As far as my ability, I'm confident that I can come in and get a shot at doing anything as far as playing but we're going to have to wait and see if I can adjust to the game," he said. "Coming from junior college I've heard the game is faster but not too much faster than what I played."

At 6-foot-6 275 pounds, Crittenton has good athleticism and hopes to add to that with his work over the summer.

"I would like to get my speed faster," he said. "I feel that I would love to run a 4.5 or a high 4.5 by the time the season gets here but other than that I'm really just trying to work on my strength and get stronger."