Jourdin Crawford is emerging as a key piece of Auburn football's defensive line after his best game of the season against Vanderbilt. Alex Golesh praised Crawford's consistency as young defenders Buddy Mathis and Darrion Smith also earn larger roles in the Tigers' rotation.
Jourdin Crawford is starting to become pretty difficult for the Auburn Tigers defensive staff to keep off the field. His progress lately has been incredible.
And considering where he apparently was entering the season, that's a pretty significant development.
Crawford played his best game of the season against Vanderbilt.
Alex Golesh didn't really leave much doubt about that Monday.
“He just played his best game here this past weekend against Vanderbilt,” Golesh said.
But I think the more interesting part is why Crawford is suddenly getting these opportunities.
Golesh said Crawford had to prove he could consistently practice the way Auburn defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams expects.
“Consistency, effort, consistency, effort, consistency, effort,” Golesh said. “I think Jordan has been trying to one, get his body right, two, figure out, man, like if that's what it takes, I can do that.”
Now Auburn is starting to see the result.
Crawford played around 24 to 26 snaps against Vanderbilt, according to Golesh.
And he's not the only young defensive lineman getting more opportunities.
Buddy Mathis played 24 snaps against Vanderbilt after playing 13 against Florida, and recorded a sack on freshman quarterback Jared Curtis. Darrion Smith jumped from 24 snaps against Florida to 39 against Vanderbilt.
Meanwhile, Da'Shawn Womack dropped from 37 snaps against Florida to 21 against Vanderbilt. It looks like the younger players are stepping up, and in some cases taking the jobs from some veterans, including some who transferred in this season.
After the SEC opening loss to Florida, I don't think that's an accident.
We've already seen Golesh make changes offensively when something isn't working.
Now we're seeing some of the same thing defensively.
And the young guys are taking advantage of it.
Golesh said Crawford's effort and technique were consistent against Vanderbilt.
“Therefore, the production was consistent,” Golesh said.
That's really what Auburn has been waiting on. And with the new regime slowly starting to get established, you can begin to see the core players that help move this program forward for more than just this season.
Crawford has the talent, while Mathis is continuing to improve. And of course Smith is getting more opportunities in big situations as well.
If those guys continue playing well, Auburn's defensive line rotation could start looking pretty different.
Now for Crawford, the projection is in his favor, but he still has to prove this wasn't just one good Saturday.
“Now Jordan, do it every snap consistently over and over and over again,” Golesh said. “Can you rinse, repeat it?”
That's the next step.
