Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/462058
2015 RECRUITING ISSUE BY LOU SOMOGYI Throughout the 2014 calendar year, the zealous followers of Notre Dame recruiting often considered Louisiana lineman Jerry Tillery the "most likely to decommit," to the in-state LSU Tigers. When it became evident that Tillery's allegiance to the Irish was unwavering and he would indeed enroll early in Jan- uary, the attention then shifted to Ohio cornerback Shaun Crawford — espe- cially after Jim Harbaugh's hiring as the head coach at the University of Michigan was announced Dec. 30. At the time, Crawford was practicing in Florida for the Under Armour All- American Game, and afterwards he was inundated with questions about whether he would become a Wolverine, as origi- nally planned. "I've been asked about Michigan a lot," he told Blue & Gold Illustrated in St. Petersburg, Fla. "I'm so solid with Notre Dame. If Coach Harbaugh calls, I would answer and talk to him and re- spect him, but I would also let him know I'm set on Notre Dame." Although he grew up in Ohio, Craw- ford was a rabid follower of the Maize and Blue, eagerly giving his verbal com- mitment to his dream school prior to Notre Dame Comes Up Big With shaUN CraWforD Crawford made 91 tackles (eight for loss), broke up 17 throws, intercepted seven passes and forced three fumbles in 2014, while helping St. Edward High School to the Division I state championship in Ohio. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND BGI FILM ANALYSIS: SHAUN CRAWFORD Strengths Explosive on both sides of the ball … In the secondary, he's always around the ball … Whether he's breaking up passes, making in- terceptions or tackling guys that he's not even covering, he's there … He's very instinctive in coverage and in run support … Not the biggest player, but he's excellent when playing near the line of scrimmage … Throws his weight around and hits hard … Fluid in his drop and smooth in his backpedal … His technique is sound, and he can flip his hips and turn and run with ease … Lacks in height, but makes up for that with arm length … Dynamic on offense and uses his above average speed to make plays. Areas For Improvement Needs to continue adding weight and mass to his body … Ideally, he hits a growth spurt, adds an inch and gets to 5-10 by the start of college … Is a good form tackler, but has a tendency to thud tackle in the secondary.