Texas Football: 3 upperclassmen that exceeded expectations this spring

Kitan Crawford, S

Another upperclassman that Sark mentioned in multiple recent press conferences that has stood out this spring is senior safety and the former blue-chip cornerback recruit Kitan Crawford. Sark noted that this is the “best version” of Crawford that he’s seen in the last few offseasons during his press conference on April 4.

"“I think this is the best version of Kitan Crawford. He’s still doing what he’s always done on special teams. He blocked a field goal Saturday, which is what we always expect of him with the special teams stuff. What he’s doing in the secondary now, it is very comforting to know that a guy can grow into that position. The beauty of it is with those guys, they earned their opportunities and now they’re getting their opportunities, and they can be a model for a younger player.”"

Crawford was also another player that we have talked about a lot on the site this spring. He’s performed at a high level all throughout spring ball. Crawford has proven to have a better understanding of the defense and his role in the secondary, in particular.

I think the specifics that I am the most excited about in terms of the strides we’ve heard Crawford making this spring are his improved timing to make plays on the ball in pass coverage and his ability to contest space more effectively. If what we’ve heard this spring in terms of Crawford’s improvement in pass coverage at the safety position is able to translate on the field this fall, he should be able to start reaching that massive potential we knew he had as a highly touted blue-chip DB recruit coming out of high school.

Crawford was always a good tackler in space. His sideline-to-sideline speed and overall burst were never question marks. The biggest issue he’s faced in the last few years is looking lost in pass coverage.

Yet, it sounds like he is starting to turn the corner to become a more cohesive part of this secondary at the field safety position.