Two years ago, Keyron Crawford was playing for Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference. This year, Crawford is the Auburn Tigers' leading tackler two games into the season, and he is making a name for himself in DJ Durkin's defense.
Crawford played in all of the Tigers' games last season in his first year on the Plains, but only recorded 22 tackles. With two games under his belt in 2025, Crawford has already racked up 11 tackles and three sacks.
His impact is clear on the field, but for Crawford, it's not just about playing the game. He came to Auburn because he wanted to grow on and off the field.
"It's not just always about football," Crawford said, per Auburn Undercover. "Definitely growing as a leader, growing vocally and just encouraging a lot of people, a lot of guys on our team that it just doesn't have to be senior voices only, it can be a freshman calling a senior out. That's one of my biggest improvements."
Head coach Hugh Freeze was quick to praise Crawford for his improvements following the Ball State game, crediting the buck linebacker for his physicality but also his presence in the locker room with his teammates.
"The improvement he's had from year one to year two here is pretty drastic in my mind," Freeze said. "I think he is more flexible; he's stronger. I think most of the credit goes to our strength staff and Dom (Studzinski). Just the change in his flexibility and his body, he bends a lot better off the edge, and so I think most of that credit goes to him and his work ethic and to Coach Dom and them.
"I love his leadership. He was one that got a lot of votes for captain and is on our leadership team and is doing a really nice job in all areas of being our voice in the locker room that people listen to.”