Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME 305-pound freshman already might possess the stamina to do so. "He was a well conditioned player coming in … it was invaluable to have him in the spring," Kelly said. "He knows the defense pretty well, and the more he's here the more he is comfortable in that role." Versatile strongside junior end Isaac Rochell played nose guard in place of Jones in the Music City Bowl win over LSU and will take some snaps there as well, but not in Notre Dame's base 4-3 defense. Five days after the setback with Jones, Crawford incurred a torn an- terior crucial ligament (ACL). The Lakewood, Ohio, freshman had seen extensive playing time dur- ing fall camp and would have seen the field often this season. Much of his time had been spent as the first- team nickel back. His presence and knowledge had last year 's nickel back, Matthias Farley, working more at free safety, behind junior starter Max Redfield. At 5-8½ and 180 pounds, the speedster Crawford possesses phys- ical skill sets comparable to former USC cornerback Nickell Robey, who helped shut down Notre Dame's Mi- chael Floyd in 2011. More relevant is Crawford's grasp of the game. "He knows our defense already, he knows our calls at the nickel po- sition," Kelly said a few days prior to the injury. "He's already helping our safeties in certain situations in terms of overriding calls. The kid's a smart football player. He gets it. He just has a knack for the game." The diminutive defensive back also figured into the squad's special teams plans. Shortly after his injury, Crawford displayed his maturity by posting: "Adversity is opportunity. Thanks for all the support! Time to get to work." Crawford, a freshman, impressed during fall camp and had emerged as the first-team nickel back before suffering a season-ending knee injury in practice Aug. 19. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND