Crawford Prepared For All Eyes To Be On The Irish

College football will have the nation’s full attention next Saturday, and Notre Dame will be on the TV to start and end the day. 

The Irish will host Michigan, and defensive back Shaun Crawford is embracing the opportunity to have the nation watching. 

“It’s the first game of the year, so why not have all eyes on you,” said Crawford. “I’m sure everyone is waiting for football to start. Every fan is waiting for college football to start. I take pride that we’re going to take on Michigan because everyone is going to watch us no matter what. I’m just excited that all eyes are on us. 

“We’re excited and accepting the challenge. We’re going to find out what type of team we got.” 

Crawford, a former Michigan commit, doesn't hold any grudges against Michigan other than the fact the Wolverines are a rival. 

“I feel like it was so long ago and it was an entirely different coaching staff,” stated Crawford. “I’m at a different place right now.”

As an Ohio native, it’s not a shock to hear Crawford has friends in Ann Arbor, including one from the Buckeye State. 

“One of my good friends, Tyree Kinnel, is a safety there,” Crawford explained. “We talked recently. We’re rooting for each other and hope we succeed and play well. At the end of the day, we’re going to compete when we get on the field and be friends after.”

2017 marked the first year Crawford played start to finish for the Irish as he battled injuries his first two seasons in South Bend.

The 5-foot-9, 181-pounder recorded 32 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and forced a fumble at the goal line at Michigan State that turned the game. 

It’s hard to deny Crawford got off to a hot start, but he admitted faded at the end of the year. 

“Maybe around the game before Navy or Wake Forest,” Crawford said. “I got an ankle injury, and it dragged on for the rest of the season. My confidence went down a little bit, and reps went down.” 

Crawford believes the experienced provided a chance for him and others on the team to grow. 

“At that point, it was about trying to get through the season and compete at a high level,” Crawford explained. “Knowing myself, I wasn’t at my best, which allowed Troy (Pride Jr.) improve on his role and get more reps to become the player he is now. 

“Looking back, it helped me humble myself and focus on my technique when I’m not 100 percent healthy. It also allowed me to focus on my compete level and also help Troy improve as a player.” 

As the 2018 season arrives next weekend, Crawford is in good health and also looking forward to the chance at returning kicks. 

“I miss getting my hands on the ball,” laughed Crawford. “That’s the fun part. In high school, I was so used to being able to play offense and get the ball on special teams. 

“On defense, I definitely try to attack the ball, so being able to have an opportunity where the ball is coming to me is exciting. It allows me to let loose and not read a scheme, but just get the ball and go.” 

Crawford also hopes the Notre Dame defense will continue to build on forcing turnovers. It was an emphasis in 2017, and he credits the staff focusing on ways to force turnovers in practice. 

“It helped us because it created a habit,” Crawford said of the turnover circuit in practice. “We made it routine in practice every day to do ball disruption drills. When you’re going through practice, it becomes a habit and natural. 

“I’d credit those drills, Coach (Mike) Elko and now Coach (Clark) Lea for still having us do those drills.”