2017 National Signing Day Profile: Harry Crider
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Harry Crider, 6’4”, 260 pounds, Columbus, IN (Columbus East High School), OL, 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-star (83.16)
The Indiana Hoosiers stayed within the state’s borders to land the man they hope will be their starting center sooner rather than later. Harry Crider is a three-star prospect from Columbus East High in Columbus, Indiana and he chose IU after de-committing from the University of Virginia. Crider is yet another in-state player that chose IU over many other “Power Five” offers and he’s seen by many as a natural leader and a “true center”.
“He’s a true center,” 247Sports recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong said. “A lot of times you’re converting a guy at that position. Crider already has a feel for the spot.”
Crider was a multi-sport athlete at Columbus East, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. He began his playing career as a wide receiver and tight end but he continued to grow and Columbus East had a hole at center. The coaches elected to move him to the center position prior to his sophomore season and he has grown (literally, he’s now 6’4” and 260 pounds) into one of the best high school centers in the class.
Columbus East coach Bob Gaddis spoke very highly of Crider to Indy Star writer Zach Osterman. “He is a great athlete for that position. He used to be a skill player. He’s a big kid but an athletic-looking guy. He’s an impeccable character guy, a great leader not just in our football program, but in our school and our community.”
The leadership outside of just football that Gaddis is talking about pertains to how Harry Crider has handled a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes that he received as a ten year old. Crider spent three nights at Riley Hospital and he has since worked with the Riley Children’s Foundation as a “Riley Champion”. He’s been an advocate for the Foundation and for Diabetes awareness. He organized and led a fundraising and awareness effort that occurred at Columbus East’s 2016 home opener and he’s spoken as an advocate at Riley-sponsored events.
The Hoosiers lost starting center Wes Rogers to graduation and there is not a clear-cut successor on the roster. Guys like Simon Stepaniak and Hunter Littlejohn will both be favored to win the position but it is definitely not out of the question for Harry Crider to add a bit more weight and see the field in 2017. Whether he starts right away or not, it seems clear IU has added a very positive force to their locker room and to the IU community.