PUEBLO, Colo. – As the fall season continues to morph into the chills of winter peril, PBR’s Unleash The Beast is preparing to begin yet another seven-month trek with the goal of crowning one man the 2024 PBR World Champion.

Set to host 40 of the best bull riders in the world inside Tucson Arena in Tucson, Arizona, Nov. 10-11, fans from around the world will gather out west to usher in the 31st premier series slate in PBR history.

Each season, the organization’s top tour welcomes a few new riders via various qualification pathways.

Every few years, a star is born, with guys like Boudreaux Campbell and Bob Mitchell storming onto the scene en route to capturing PBR Rookie of the Year rights while making names for themselves.

Even rarer, Unleash The Beast has been known to introduce some of the industry’s next record-setters.

Guys that are changing the game in real-time. Men who have intentions of winning, and only winning.

We’re talking about World Champions like Jose Vitor Leme, Kaique Pacheco and Silvano Alves (who combine for six world titles alone, respectively).

Dudes who make fans reconsider who their favorite riders are, and whether or not the best of all-time has yet to even enter the chutes.

With 18-year-old phenom John Crimber expected to make his UTB debut Friday night during a dance with Border Wall, he’s not only the odds-on favorite to be crowned the 2024 PBR Rookie of the Year but very well has a chance to be the next big thing.

While the Decatur, Texas, resident’s time participating in premier series action has yet to begin, the rider’s journey throughout other PBR-sanctioned events has been well-documented.

Launching himself into professional competition days after receiving his PBR Card and turning 18, Crimber wasted no time introducing himself to Challenger Series competitors.

Netting a third-place finish in his very first venture, he went on to share his first event title with Wyatt Rogers just six days later, as each rider ended the bout with matching 171.5 aggregate scores.

Sharing the honors may have sparked something for Crimber, as the cowboy went on an absolute tear beginning the following weekend. Securing his first outright event title in Eureka, Montana, on Aug. 26, just two weeks after turning 18, Crimber unleashed his true potential.

Eventually securing nine event victories in two months’ time as the summer raged on, his goal of qualifying for the 2023 PBR Challenger Series Championship had been accomplished.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be here in this situation. Being able to compete for a title,” John Crimber shared inside South Point Casino Hotel & Spa.

“When I started PBR, I really was just trying to see if I could make it to the Challenger Series Championship. To be able to win nine events and come here and finish second, it’s been a blessing.”

Exiting the season-ending showcase with a 1-for-2 record, he eventually finished just 27.33 points short of eventual tour champion Alan de Souza.

Coming up just short, it would’ve been easy for the kid to shrug it off and continue his preparations for UTB. And, well, that’s exactly what he did.

Getting his toes wet within PBR Canada competition as October came to an end, he actually went on to produce a flawless 3-for-3 performance at the PBR Saskatoon Classic, later claiming the title in his first international competition north of the border.

Hell, the kid finally just got his photo officially uploaded and linked to his PBR.com profile. Yet, he’s ready to give it his all in Tucson this weekend after instilling some confidence in himself throughout the summer stretch.

“It feels really good. I’ve proved to myself that I’m capable of doing some big things in this sport and being at 18 years old winning nine events in unbelievable. It makes me feel really good about myself and I’m excited for what’s coming,” John Crimber offered.

“Having a dad and mom like mine … they really support me, through everything. I’m just very thankful to have people like them in my corner.”

Taking in the thrills of the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series Championship alongside his father Paulo Crimber while in Las Vegas, who’s the Technical Coach for the Arizona Ridge Riders, he’s either competed in or witnessed just about every major circuit in North America in the past few months.

“John is a special kid. Not just a talented bull rider, but as a person. He’s respectful, has a tender heart and he loves everybody. He’s always watching out for everybody,” Paulo Crimber shared.

“He loves all of those guys, that’s where he wants to be: when he’s around those heroes. Eduardo (Aparecido), Jose (Vitor Leme), Luciano (De Castro) … they’re real tight and everybody else around, and that’s what kind of makes him so special too, because he calls all of them uncle.”

From signing autographs to making pregame appearances on various broadcast and digital media platforms to enjoying some locker room visits and exchanging a whole bunch of handshakes, Crimber didn’t shy away from the interactions in the City of Bright Lights.

After all, he knew this was coming.

“I told myself when I started, I wanted to qualify for the UTB season, and that’s what happening. That’s all I had to do,” John Crimber shared.

“Now it’s time to go kick their ass up there.”

Listed at 5-7, 140 lbs. and coming into this weekend’s showdown in Tucson, Arizona, healthy as can be, things are trending in the youngster’s favor.

Especially considering he’ll be competing against a pack of riders who just exited the second year of PBR Camping World Team Series action just three weekends ago.

“What he did this summer is what we can expect from him at the big show. This kid just loves riding, he doesn’t care about anything else. He just wants to get on bulls and ride and make it look simple,” Paulo Crimber concluded.

“He doesn’t want to make a big scene about it and that’s something that impresses me. When you know what he’s capable of accomplishing, that’s something even bigger (his humble approach) and I couldn’t be more proud to be his dad.”

A year full of firsts, Crimber will look to keep soaring on the highs of year one in Tucson as he prepares to compete against the best bull riders in the world on Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media