by Will Muiter
The Paducah Sun
January 12, 2026
Used with permission.
Paducah Tilghman senior quarterback Stone Crowe announced his commitment to Lindsey Wilson University last week, solidifying his future at the collegiate level. In his senior season, Crowe threw for 3,138 yards, which ranked 5th in the state, and 37 touchdowns, tied for 7th in Kentucky as well. He led the Blue Tornado to a 9-1 regular season record and a state semifinal appearance. Tilghman was one of the premier offenses in the state, averaging just over 42 points per game.
Crowe had multiple schools reach out to him during the recruiting process, but a combination of different factors ultimately led him to become a Blue Raider, including his campus visit.
“I had a couple of smaller schools come at me. I had Greenville, Lindsey Wilson, Georgetown, and a couple more schools. I just stepped on campus at my visit at Lindsey Wilson, and I just ultimately knew it was home,” Crowe said. “The coaches and all the other players I met up there were just so nice and so welcoming. I knew as soon as I got there that this place felt like home and I really wanted to go.”
The newest Blue Raider has a few family members that have deep-rooted ties to football in Kentucky. His grandfather Jack Haskins served as a head coach for 36 years between many different schools, including McCracken County, Lone Oak, Fulton County, Heath, Calloway County, Ballard Memorial, and Graves County. His uncle Billy Jack Haskins won the Kentucky “Mr. Football” Award in 1992, also as a quarterback for Paducah Tilghman. He then went on to play at Kentucky for four years, playing in 24 games and throwing for over 2,000 yards. Their extensive knowledge of the area and surrounding colleges played a pivotal role in helping Crowe narrow down his school choices.
“Every Saturday or Sunday me and my Grandad would come together and watch film. I would always ask him what do you think about this college or that college, and he would tell me the pros and cons of it. That’s ultimately what led to me at Lindsey Wilson as well,” Crowe said. “He said that ‘It would be a good fit for you, especially if they’re going to be paying a lot of tuition. I think it’s a no-brainer.’ Obviously Billy Jack played at Kentucky. I talked to him a lot, text him constantly about what he thinks about this college, or just in general about plays. Having him and Coach Haskins by my side ultimately led me here, and I’m just so thankful for them.”
Crowe will also be linking up with a pair former Blue Tornado teammates. Michael Hinton and NyYon Fitzgerald both just wrapped up their freshmen seasons as Blue Raiders and Josh Campbell will be tranferring to Lindsey Wilson this upcoming season. As Hinton continues to develop as a linebacker and Fitzgerald on the defensive line, there is no doubt the three will have some extra motivation going up against each other at practice in the fall. Crowe appreciates having that sense of home on the team, but is also looking forward to developing new relationships with other teammates.
“That definitely helps, definitely helps the chemistry having some guys you already know,” Crowe said about seeing some former teammates. “I think it’s also about building more friendships along the way. I just want to meet more guys and know we’re all after the same goal, getting better and getting our degrees.”
As Crowe reflects on his time suiting up as a Blue Tornado, he can’t help but be thankful for his coaches and teammates that helped him out along the way.
“I would be nowhere without Coach Thompson or all my other teammates that have helped me out as well. Tilghman has definitely prepared me for this. I just want to say thanks to all my teammates and coaches for preparing me for this. It’s a team sport, so without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Stone still has the rest of his senior year to complete before graduating in May. He said his goal is to get in the best shape possible before heading to Columbia, Kentucky in the fall, and part of that will be competing on the Paducah Tilghman baseball team this spring.
“That’s always the task. I play baseball as well, so I’ve got that on my hands and have to focus on that as well. Going into the late spring and summer, I’m just going to be all football. I’ll be lifting heavy weights, running extra, and just getting in shape, making sure I’m in the best player when I get up to Lindsey Wilson.”
Lindsey Wilson has been an extremely successful program in the NAIA ranks in the past 15 years. In that time frame, they have won the Mid-South Conference five times, and even won a NAIA National Championship back in 2020.
Photo credit: Lee Blackburn