The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/178977
commitment profile "Just being able to run out the tunnel and jump up and touch the sign. I've always seen it on Saturdays, and finally getting the opportunity to do it is something I've always wanted." It's highly likely that Michigan fans will be just as happy as Crawford is. He's rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, and he is expected to be among the national top 100 when full rankings for the junior class are released. Other outlets give him a ranking ranging from No. 49 overall in the country (ESPN) to No. 156 (247Sports). His production as a sophomore went a long way toward earning Crawford those high marks, and he hopes to continue putting up big numbers. He made 56 tackles and two interceptions on defense, and turned right around to catch 24 passes for 420 yards (17.5 yards per reception) and five touchdowns for the Eagles' offense. "He has the speed, physicality, instincts, and football IQ, but most importantly he has the intangibles," St. Edward defensive backs coach Peter Pappas said. "He's the fiercest competitor I've seen, he's a great teammate, and he's a total effort guy. He plays with great intensity and great physicality." Michigan has brought in several bigger defensive backs in recent recruiting classes, and at first glance, Crawford seems to be a departure from that. His 5-9 frame is dwarfed by the likes of 2013 signees Channing Stribling and Reon Dawson (both 6-2) and 2014 commit Jabrill Peppers (6‑1 and a whopping 215 pounds). How- ever, Crawford's size doesn't prevent him from playing a brand of football that Brady Hoke and his coaches admire. "He's smaller in stature, but he plays much bigger than that," Pappas said. "That's a compliment to all of the training he puts in the offseason, all of the strength training, and he's the fastest guy in the state of Ohio." Crawford took third in the 100-meter dash at the Ohio Division I state meet last spring, losing to two seniors. In the qualifying heat he ran a 10.54, the seventh fastest non-wind-aided time by a sophomore runner nationally and the 24th fastest non-windaided time ever by a prep sophomore. He also placed fifth in the 200 with a time of 21.47 that ranked eighth nationally among sophomores and was No. 86 all time for his class year. It's no surprise, then, that Michigan's coaches were elated to receive Crawford's pledge. "When I called and let them know, they were really excited," he said. "When I went to their camp, [defensive backs] Coach [Curt] Mallory was really hands on. I got to work with him at corner and learned the techniques that I would be using in the future. "[Defensive coordinator] Coach [Greg] Mattison was like a Grandpa figure. He's just a really nice and caring guy. He understands you, and he'll also joke with you. He's really cool." Crawford became the fifth pledge in Michigan's 2015 class. — Tim Sullivan