Countdown to Kickoff: 9 Days (Jonathan Crawford)

Written by: Lydia Knoll (@lydddknoll)

#9

There are now single digit days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Player number 9 for the Hoosiers is Jonathan Crawford.

Jonathan Crawford (Sophomore)

-Height: 6’2”
-Weight: 198 pounds
-Hometown: Largo, FL
-Position: Defensive Back

Undoubtedly the most significant freshman for Indiana in the 2015 Recruiting class has been Jonathan Crawford. Crawford was named to the ESPN.com and BTN.com  Big Ten All-Freshman team selection as well as the IU Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Crawford started all thirteen games of last season as a true freshman, and by the end of the season he led Indiana with four interceptions, the third most for a freshman in program history. He also finished with 76 tackles, 48 solos, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and one blocked field goal. His four interceptions ranked him third in the Big Ten and 35th nationally for interceptions, but ranked him first amongst all conference freshman and fourth amongst all freshmen nationally. In the Big Ten, he topped the freshmen in overall and solo stops. 

Looking ahead to the 2016 season, Crawford holds a definite starting spot in the secondary. After his performance last year, he’ll be returning to the strong safety position where he’ll be joined by other returners Rashard Fant, Chase Dutra, and Andre Brown Jr. Also joining the secondary will be transfer Jayme Thompson. The safety position is deep with Jameel Cook Jr. getting some playing time last year at safety and incoming freshman, Marcelino Ball. However, neither of these players have the experience that Crawford got last year so expect to see Crawford in the starting lineup. 

Share any comments or memories about Jonathan Crawford or the defensive backs in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!