Sept. 12, 2007

by David Kaye, Baylor Athletic Media Relations

Suddenly the veteran leader of a young Baylor secondary, Dwain Crawford finds himself in an unfamiliar position, both in the locker room and on the field.

After earning honorable mention all-Big 12 honors as a sophomore free safety in 2006, Crawford makes the move to rover for his junior season. Changing positions after earning all-conference honors may seem strange, but Crawford welcomes the change.

"It's going to be exciting just because it's a versatile position where you get to show a lot of different things," Crawford said. "You get to be in the box, you get to cover one-on-one, and you get to blitz. Playing at rover, you're going to be around the football, so that gives you the chance to show the guys on the next level that you can be a versatile player."

Though he plans to make more big plays from the rover position, Crawford had no trouble making a name for himself as a free safety. In his first Big 12 start, Crawford intercepted two passes on his way to being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week in a 17-3 win over Kansas State.

"It was a blessing to be able to receive that award. A lot of guys have earned it, and to be able to get it in my first Big 12 start was great," Crawford said. "It showed me that the sky is the limit. You've just got to go out and make plays."

Crawford came up with another big play in the Bears' 2006 homecoming game against Kansas. After an improbable comeback from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit, the Bears needed to stop the Jayhawks one last time in the final minute to seal the victory. That's when Crawford nabbed his third interception of the season before sliding to the turf and sending the remaining fans into an uproar.

"We were down so much early, and so many fans gave up on us," Crawford said. "We never gave up on ourselves, and we just kept playing football. Getting the interception to finish that game off was an incredible feeling."

With Crawford's performance at the free safety spot, it is easy to wonder why defensive coordinator Larry Hoefer would move him to a new position. But changing positions is nothing new for Crawford. He made the transition from a running back to a rover while redshirting in 2004, but he never gained any game experience at rover before being moved to free safety before the 2005 season.

"He's played rover in practice before, so that makes it an easier adjustment," Hoefer said. "Dwain's a really football-smart young man, and he's picked things up quickly, so we thought this would be the easiest way to get our best players on the field."

No one is happier about the move than sophomore Jordan Lake. After watching Crawford for the past two years, Lake steps in to take over the vacant free safety spot. While he's confident in his own abilities, Lake is quick to point out that he is ready for the challenge because of things he learned from watching Crawford.

"He's a passionate guy who loves football, but he's always calm, cool, and collected," Lake said. "It was great to be able to play behind him and see how to control your emotions out on the field; how to always be passionate about what you're doing. But, at the same time, keep your head on straight."

Learning from the guys before them seems to be a tradition for Baylor's defensive backs. Crawford credits former Baylor defensive backs Maurice Lane and Willie Andrews with helping him develop in his first two years at Baylor. He is also quick to point out how difficult it's going to be to replace departed cornerbacks C.J. Wilson and Anthony Arline.

"We lost our guys on the outside that brought a lot of leadership to the team with how they played on the field," Crawford said. "I learned from them how to lead by example on the field. Hopefully, if I do that, the younger guys will catch on."

Though he is ready to step in as the new leader of the secondary, do not expect to see any of the dances or simulated baseball games made famous by Wilson and Arline. Crawford plans on taking a different approach, one of the more humble variety.

Some might question the leadership ability of a soft-spoken junior from the small town of Giddings, Texas; but, Hoefer is not in that group. He says he is comfortable moving Crawford into his new position as a leader in the secondary because he has proven himself both on the field and in the locker room.

"He's got game experience, and that's a big deal," Hoefer said. "He's helped the young, inexperienced players and he's been a great leader by example; but, he'll also step in and speak up when it's needed."