Virginia Tech senior defensive tackle DaShawn Crawford has entered the transfer portal. 247Sports first broke the news, and TSL has confirmed it with a source in the athletic department.
Crawford (6-0, 290) is a former JUCO recruit who stepped into the starting lineup as soon as he set foot on campus in 2019. He finished the season with six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, and was one of the bright spots on Virginia Tech’s defensive line.
However, with the retirement of Bud Foster came a new defensive scheme, and Crawford’s skillset isn’t as much of a fit for Justin Hamilton’s scheme as it was for Foster’s. He was injured in 2020 and played in just three games. After returning for spring practice, he was unable to regain his former spot on the depth chart while going up against players who are better fits for Hamilton’s scheme. He was 244 pounds coming out of high school, and 270 pounds coming out of JUCO, and it was a struggle for him to get up to his current weight of 290.
Despite the loss of Crawford, Virginia Tech’s defensive tackles represent one of the most experienced units on the team. The following returning players have seen action in ACC competition…
Jordan Williams: 6-4, 310, Sr.
Norell Pollard: 6-0, 265, So.
Mario Kendricks: 6-0, 290, So.
Josh Fuga: 6-2, 323, r-Fr.
Jaden Cunningham: 6-2, 306, r-Jr.
Maxx Philpott: 6-0, 295, r-Fr.
Williams and Pollard are expected to start, but Kendricks, Fuga and Cunningham are all pushing for plenty of playing time.
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Sorry to see him go. He filled in a badly needed weak spot 2 years ago. I’m surprised he was not able to hold onto a spot to play. I hope that speaks well of the other DT’s.
Pollard must be around 290 now… certainly not 265.
Could he have been a defensive end/?
He is as tall and as heavy as Pollard (expected starter).
I’m wondering if the injury didn’t play into more than noted above.
I am sad as I liked Crawford. But as what happens with a change of defense he finds himself shorter than others and a bit lighter. I hope he finds a home that he fits into.
GO HOKIES!!!
Good luck Mr Crawford. Hokie nation wishes you well!!!!