Editor’s Note 9/15/23: Alante Brown suffered an injury early on in the Michigan State season and has not played since. It’s possible that injury, rather than the Michigan State depth chart is keeping the former Nebraska football star off the field.
Former Nebraska football receivers thought the grass would be greener somewhere else, but instead, they’ve found out transferring doesn’t always work out.
Through the first few weeks of the season, there’s been a number of stories about former Nebraska football players who have found quite a bit of success after departing Lincoln.
However, the transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh away. In the case of Decoldest Crawford and Alante Brown, the places they thought might finally offer them the chances they’ve always wanted, haven’t offered much in the way of a chance at all.
Brown transferred to Michigan State this spring after three years in Lincoln that saw him get very spotty playing time. In fact, the most extensive time on the field by Brown was last season, when he caught 16 passes for 191 yards.
Brown joined the Spartans likely hoping that he could boost a wide receiver corps that needs some playmakers. However, the former 4-star prospect has yet to get on the field when MSU is playing offense. He’s not even getting on the field all that much during special teams.
Brown has just three snaps so far this year. He’s been on the field for two kick returns and one punt return.
Decoldest Crawford has no catches since leaving Nebraska football
Meanwhile, former 3-star prospect Decoldest Crawford has gotten on the field a little more often than Brown, but he had to think he was going to see more action for Louisiana State than he has so far.
Brown at least transferred to another Power 5 program. He likely knew he was going to face stiff competition to get playing time. Crawford transferred to the Bulldogs likely thinking he’d get a better chance to get on the field at the Group of 5 school.
Crawford’s biggest claim to fame so far is an NIL deal with an air conditioning company when he was with the Nebraska football program. An injury before the season sapped his ability to really take advantage of that.
For LaTech, the redshirt freshman has gotten 23 total snaps through three games. He does have two targets too, but no catches.
Neither he nor Brown have lit the world on fire since leaving the Nebraska football program. Ironically, both are going to be looking to get on the field a bit more against their former mates this season.
That will start with Crawford in Week 4 when his new team ventures to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska football team.