By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — What’s in a name? Quite a bit when it comes to Rece Craft.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Craft always came up with clutch receptions, and South Point Pointers’ head coach Chris Davis said the talented senior was just a crafty player.

“He’s the kind of kid who always found a way to get open. He wasn’t going to burn you deep, but he’d find the spots to get open. He plays receiver, defensive back, kick, he can do it all,” said Davis.

The crafty Craft will unleash his talents at the next level after signing a letter-of-intent to play for the Heidelberg Student Princes.

Craft said he weighed his decision after looking at several schools in the Ohio Athletic Conference, but when his South Point teammate Blaine Freeman decided to attend Heidelberg his decision was cemented.

“I looked at Capital, but it just wasn’t a fit for me,” said Craft. “I had a teammate coming with me (to Heidelberg), so that’s the main reason.”

Heidelberg plans to use Craft as a slot receiver and kick returner, both of which are his strong suits.

“They have a lot of depth at the receiver spot, so I’m looking at trying to play my second or third year and try to do the best that I can on jayvee and see if I can jump up toward the end of the season,” said Craft.

Stepping up to the college level will mean Craft will need time to acclimate himself.

“It’s going to be a lot of hard work and dedication, and I’m willing to put in all those hours. I’m willing to grind it out,” said Craft.

While Craft has played football for 11 years, he’s played baseball for the past 13 years dating back to tee-ball. But his main love is a simple choice.

“I like football the best. I like contact,” he said.

Craft has set simple goals for college.

“I want to get my degree and I want to play. That’s my main goal. I want to play,” said Craft.

“It’s something that has been with my family. My uncle’s a lawyer,” said Craft.

While Craft is going to Heidelberg to join Freeman who also signed with the Student Princes., another teammate — Dontae Harris — signed with West Virginia State.

“Those three seniors meant a lot to this program,” said Davis. “We had 16 of them. They were all a part of what we did this past year and the past four years.

“We hate to lose them, but this is a great opportunity for them and it’s great for the school to see this happening to them. We haven’t seen this for a long time and it’s building each year.”

Craft plans to study pre-law.

“It kind of runs in our family. I have an uncle who’s a lawyer,” said Craft.