Independence High’s Brian Crowder pledges to Limestone

Brian Crowder, a two-sport standout from Charlotte’s Independence High School, has committed to play football at Limestone University.

Crowder is a wide receiver and returns kicks for the Patriots’ football team. He’s an outfielder during baseball season and bats lead off for the Queen City Diamonds traveling team.

Limestone, located in Gaffney, S.C., plays in NCAA Division II in the South Atlantic Conference. Crowder camped at Limestone this summer and attended their spring game back in April.

Crowder earned first-team All-Southwest 4A last football season and helped Independence make a surprising run to the state semifinals as the No. 23 seed. He earned Charlotte Observer player of the week after an eight-catch, 110 yard effort in the regional playoffs.

For the season, Crowder recorded 44 receptions for 553 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a score.

Crowder also reported a baseball offer from Miles College. He hit .378 for Independence this past spring.

“Being a two-sports athlete with football Monday thru Thursday and baseball on the weekend takes a lot of dedication, but I love it when it pays off,” Crowder posted earlier this summer on X. “I batted .437 over a six-game span this weekend and got a few RBIs. Now, enjoying this break before football is back on deck next week.”

Crowder and the Independence Patriots will kick off the season in the Carolina Panthers’ Keep Pounding Classic on Thursday, Aug. 22 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots will face Myers Park.

Brian Crowder’s “big cousin” Jamison Crowder, as he refers to him on social media, played at Duke and has been in the NFL since 2015 (Jets, Bills, Giants and now Washington Commanders).