This Guy Plays Notre Dame Football: #20 Shaun Crawford, Cornerback

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a roster full of players, and we want to talk about them all. One Foot Down’s player profile series will take a look at every single one of them, and hopefully we all learn a little bit more about these guys, and Notre Dame’s chances for the upcoming 2020 season.

#20 Shaun Crawford, CB

This will be Shaun Crawford’s sixth year with the program. The dude has been a battler and a fighter. Shaun Crawford was an up-and-coming member of the defense and secondary since 2015. He had to step up in a big way once the defense lost the likes of Jaylon Smith and Romeo Okwara after a 10-3 campaign that season. It looked like he would play right away. Unfortunately, Crawford did not see the field in his freshman season of 2015 because he suffered through a torn ACL before the season began.

That would start a string of two more season-ending injuries (three total) that no one should ever have to suffer. In 2016, Crawford saw game action in just the first two games, against Texas and Nevada. In that Nevada game, he tore his Achilles tendon, sidelining him for the rest of the season. So, in two seasons, he did not even play in two, full games. He also had another knee injury before last season started, so he saw no game action in 2018 either.

Fortunately, Shaun was able to play in the 2017 season, and it was a doozy for him. He had 32 tackles, 20 of which were solo. He also recorded two fumble recoveries and two interceptions in an awesome season. It was a breakout season that was 3 seasons in the making. Shaun, because of his injuries, actually has one year of eligibility left because he was granted a medical 5th and 6th year option.

Last season, Crawford was able to play in 9 games. He, with his just ridiculous luck, still got injured in 2019. He dislocated his elbow against UVA at the end of September, sidelining him for a few weeks. Fortunately, it was not a season-ending injury. The dude is a monster and a workhorse. He had 28 total tackles and 1 interception on the season. We were all so happy to see him come back for the rest of the season. He can contribute for one last season in 2020.

Spirit Animal

Rocky Balboa

Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

This dude just keeps getting hit, but he will never fully go down. Shaun Crawford will not keep all of his injuries from his competing at the best level he can. We so appreciate his work ethic and wanting all the shots he is given to succeed.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

2020 Outlook

With his overall success in 2019, even through his minor injury, Shaun Crawford will look to ball out in the last possible chance for a “senior” season he will have. He has the skill, tenacity, and vision on the field to continue his great play at cornerback/anywhere in the secondary. His age/experience are on his side, as he can direct the defense while having a leg up on younger offenses. I’m excited to see what he does, and please God, we pray that Shaun can play a full season.