During his three years in Champaign, Crisler was a starter on Illinois’ offensive line, earning two Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors and starting 30 games under head coach Bret Bielema.
Crisler began his career at the junior college level with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he spent one season before transferring to Illinois. He played high school football at Perkinston (Miss.) Copiah Academy and has one year of eligibility remaining.
Crisler’s decision to enter the transfer portal followed an NCAA waiver announcement for 2025, which allowed JUCO players with remaining eligibility to compete. This decision came after a lawsuit filed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who sought to play an additional season after spending two years at New Mexico Military Institute. Judge William Campbell ruled in favor of Pavia, granting him a preliminary injunction to return to Vanderbilt in 2025. This ruling led to the NCAA announcing a blanket waiver for athletes who attended non-NCAA schools for at least one year and still have eligibility.
Crisler is the 15th player to commit to Colorado this cycle, joining a class led by former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter, ranked No. 91 overall and No. 12 among quarterbacks in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Salter will play a significant role in developing top quarterback recruit Julian Lewis, as Shedeur Sanders prepares for the NFL.
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