Crawford-Tufts leaves grid for track

Published Jul. 29, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota wide receiver Devin Crawford-Tufts won't play for the football team this season, to focus on track and field instead.

The Gophers announced the news Monday.

In a statement from the university, coach Jerry Kill said he and Crawford-Tufts spoke several times in recent months about the decision. Kill wished the junior well and said the team ''will be rooting for him.''

Crawford-Tufts joined the track team in February. He finished fourth at the Big Ten championships in the 60-meter dash. He was also a Minnesota state champion in the 100- and 200-meter events at Edina High School.

Crawford-Tufts had 24 receptions and 345 yards over 21 games for the Gophers. He caught a touchdown pass against Texas Tech in the Meineke Car Care Bowl last season.