According to ESPN, Auburn’s top recruit for 2025
The Auburn Tigers' focus has mostly been on the transfer portal, but they also have an impact on incoming freshmen.
Hugh Freeze signed a top-10 high school recruiting class, but the transfer portal and the well-known quarterbacks arriving in the Plains have received most of the spotlight when it comes to Auburn newcomers. The freshman class of the previous year, which included Malik Blocton, Demarcus Riddick, and Cam Coleman, had an instant effect.
Jourdin Crawford, a defensive tackle, was selected by ESPN as the guy who will assist bring the program back to prominence. ESPN ranked the 6-2, 325-pound native of Birmingham as the sixth-best defensive lineman in the nation.
“The Tigers signed six players in the 2025 cycle to fill their clear defensive line need. “Crawford seems the most prepared of that group to have an immediate impact,” Eli Lederman wrote on ESPN+.
“Out of the six interior defensive linemen that Auburn uses the most, four are no longer eligible. Even though the Tigers might use the portal and bring back seasoned defensive tackles Quientrail Jamison-Travis and Malik Blocton, Crawford will be an additional option at a crucial position in 2025.
Crawford’s decision to select the Tigers over Alabama and LSU opened his eyes. What does Crawford provide now that he is envisioned by the national media as the defensive line’s focal point?
Sports Profile
In many ways, Crawford’s physique, manner of play, and general disposition are similar to those of shorter, powerful nose tackles. The same three phrases come up whenever you watch a movie or hear criticism of his game: for his size. Crawford is not very twitchy, but for a player who stands 6-2 and weighs between 325 and 330, he moves laterally and vertically fairly well.
In essence, the rookie has exceptional leg strength, drive, and leverage to shift pad level and get beneath the opponent’s pads. After Crawford gets that leap off the snap with his power, blockers will try to lock on and keep him at arm’s length, but that task becomes much more difficult. Coaches will give the new freshman the responsibility of stopping the run, even if he recorded 38 sacks in high school. He will put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.
Anticipated Role
As previously stated, Crawford showed promise as a pass rusher, and to what degree could it still occur on the Plains? It is still believed that the rookie might stop the run during the first two downs and possibly leave the game in passing situations by playing as a zero or one-technique on the interior.
Even while that might have been the case from the start, it doesn’t imply he will be labeled or categorized for the duration of his time at Auburn. Crawford will see the field on more than just early downs if he can demonstrate the explosiveness necessary to succeed in passing scenarios. Furthermore, it would be beneficial in the future if he could relax when teams unavoidably double Keldric Faulk.
Summary
Rarely will a much-discussed nose tackle garner national attention. These accolades are typically saved for edge rushers and three-techniques that enter the backfield and alter the course of events. The focus is now on a guy who has the potential to improve Faulk. Through flourishing on double teams,
Having the chance to play early will help Jourdin Crawford succeed for Auburn.
