With the departure of co-captain and defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu, defensive end Jack Crawford will join DE Eric Latimore and DT Devon Still as seniors counted on to provide leadership and productivity for the defensive line. A starter in 20 games over the past two seasons, Crawford was slowed by a mid-season foot injury last year. He missed three games and underwent surgery in January, knocking him out of spring drills. He should be 100 percent prior to the start of preseason practice, where he will look to reclaim a starting berth. Crawford has demonstrated he has the skills and athleticism to rank among the Big Ten's premier defensive ends and playmakers at the position. Phil Steele's College Football Preview selected him 2011 preseason third-team All-Big Ten. Six years after leaving his native London, England, for the United States, Crawford has found a second home in Happy Valley. He moved to the U.S. in 2005, intending to pursue basketball as his primary sport. As a junior at St. Augustine (N.J.) Prep in 2006, he joined the football team and found immediate success as a defensive end and tight end. During his senior season, Crawford emerged as a standout, leading to his matriculation to Happy Valley. As a true freshman in 2008, barely two years after playing organized football for the first time, Crawford played in every game for the Lions. When his older brother, Douglas, came to see Jack play against Ohio State in 2009, he became the first member of the Crawford family to watch Jack play in person. He possesses outstanding physical attributes, quickness and determination and the ability to make big plays. Crawford has a great motor and has made significant progress on the practice field and in the weight room and is a probable All-Big Ten candidate. The personable Crawford has tremendous work-ethic and energy and will be counted on for significant contributions in his senior season. He is one of seven returning Nittany Lions from New Jersey.
2010 Junior Season
Playing in 10 games, Crawford earned seven starts. He missed the Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan games with a foot injury. Crawford compiled 14 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks for the season. He made three tackles against Youngstown State, including a minus-yardage hit for three yards, and had two stops at No. 1 Alabama. He made three hits in the 24-0 win over Kent State, including 1.5 TFL, with a sack for minus-seven yards. After missing three consecutive games at mid-season with a foot injury, he returned in the historic comeback win over Northwestern, making one tackle. He recorded a sack at Ohio State and returned to the starting lineup in the win over Indiana. Crawford made two stops, with 0.5 TFL for minus-three yards against Michigan State. He played on 395 snaps, topped by 70 against Florida in the 2011 Outback Bowl.
2009 Sophomore Season
Crawford started every game at defensive end and was among the Big Ten leaders in minus-yardage plays. He was ninth in the Big Ten in tackles for losses (14.5 for minus-67 yards) and 10th with 5.5 sacks (minus-44). He was second on the team in minus-yardage hits, earning honorable-mention all-conference honors. Crawford made 31 tackles, was tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries, had one forced fumble and three pass breakups. He made at least one minus-yardage play in 10 games. Crawford had a memorable first career start in the win over Akron, recording two tackles, both for a loss, including his first career sack. He had a big game against Temple, posting three tackles, including 2.5 TFL, and a sack. Crawford registered a career-best five tackles, with 1.0 TFL, and combined on a sack against Iowa. In the win at Illinois, he was very productive, totaling four tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and recovering a fumble at the Illinois 14 to set up a touchdown. His third sack of the year was big, as he dropped Juice Williams for a 15-yard loss late in the first half. Crawford's pressure also forced Williams into an intentional grounding penalty, pushing the Illini out of field goal range. Against Eastern Illinois, Crawford had two tackles, one of which was a sack that resulted in a loss of 15 yards. In the 35-10 thumping of Michigan, Crawford made three solo tackles, all for a loss (minus-9 yards). His standout performance included a sack and a forced fumble. In the 34-13 win at Northwestern, he made two solo tackles, including one for a loss of five yards, and recovered a fumble on the game's opening drive that led to a field goal. Crawford made two stops and had two pass breakups in the Senior Day win over Indiana. In the big Capital One Bowl win over LSU, he recorded one TFL. He saw action on 677 snaps, the sixth-highest total among 2010 returnees, topped by 68 against Iowa and 65 at Northwestern.
2008 Freshman Season
Crawford joined Brandon Beachum and Michael Mauti as the only true freshmen to play in every game. He saw action at defensive tackle and tight end during the season and made four tackles (three solo) with two pass breakups. Crawford was inserted into the season-opener with Coastal Carolina and recorded a season-high three tackles, two of which were solo stops. He also made one solo hit in the win at Syracuse. He was on the field for 127 plays, led by 27 each against Coastal Carolina and Indiana.
High School
As a junior at St. Augustine Prep in 2006, Crawford joined the football team and found immediate success. During his senior season, he emerged as a standout, being rated the No. 15 defensive end in the nation by Scout.com, while also playing tight end. Playing for Coach Dennis Scuderi, Crawford earned all-area and All-Parochial honors. He made 12 touchdown receptions his senior season. Crawford also played basketball and soccer at St. Augustine.
Personal
Full name is Jack Justin Crawford. Crawford is the son of Janet and Lincoln Crawford. He has two older brothers, Douglas and Paul, a younger brother, Mostyn, and one younger sister, Ella. Crawford, who enjoys producing music, is studying anthropology. Born September 7, 1988 in London, England.
