Countdown to 2018 IUFB Kickoff: 9 Days (Jonathan Crawford)

Written By T.J. Inman

Countdown to Kickoff: #9 – Jonathan Crawford

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 197 pounds

Hometown: Largo, Florida (Largo High School)

Class/Position: Senior/Safety

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff rolls on and you can now count the number of days remaining until the season begins with your fingers. Of course, that assumes you have at least nine fingers. The Hoosiers will take on Florida International in Miami to begin the 2018 season and I am more than ready for some IU football! Today’s countdown piece features a defensive leader and one of the better safeties in the history of Indiana football: Jonathan Crawford!

The burgeoning “Sunshine Pipeline” that sees players (and coaches) migrate from sunny Florida to Bloomington began to be constructed with guys like Jonathan Crawford. The senior from Largo played defensive back and wide receiver for Largo High School and earned All-Pinellas County honors for his play in 2014. He came to Indiana in 2015 and has been a starting safety for the Hoosiers ever since. In total, Crawford has started 38 games for Indiana and he is now the active leader in a number of defensive categories (tackles, interceptions, pass breakups and fumble recoveries). If he is able to complete an injury-free senior season, he will end up starting (at least) an incredible 50 contests for the Cream and Crimson.

At 6’2” and with good length, Crawford is the prototypical playmaking safety. He is terrific in pass coverage but doesn’t shy away from helping the squad in run support. His presence will be even more important in 2018 as he is being asked to shepherd a very talented, but very young, defense. Juwan Burgess is probably the immediate backup for Crawford and he has lots of talent. That being written, there is little doubt in my mind that Crawford is one of the more indispensable players for this year’s Indiana Hoosiers squad due to his experience, leadership and playmaking ability. One of his targets for this season should be finishing more of the opportunities that his athleticism and instincts get him in position to make. If he can turn a couple of pass breakups into a few more takeaways, Crawford could end up as an All-Big Ten safety this season. He is thoroughly enjoyable to watch and I will be paying extra attention to him during his final season in Bloomington.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!