Senior EDGE Keyron Crawford Focused on Breakout Season as Auburn’s Pass Rush Looks to Regain Dominance Under New Defensive System
Keyron Crawford didn’t arrive on the Plains with the five-star fanfare or the spotlight that often follows SEC edge rushers. But what he did bring—and what he continues to bring—is grit, tenacity, and an insatiable desire to prove that he belongs among the elite defenders in the Southeastern Conference. Now entering his senior season, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound EDGE defender is ready to turn the page and write a new chapter—one filled with production, leadership, and an impact that resonates far beyond the stat sheet.
After finishing the 2024 season with 22 total tackles, Crawford has become one of Auburn’s most experienced defensive players. While those numbers may not have turned heads on a national scale, they told the story of a player steadily carving out a meaningful role. Whether it was setting the edge in the run game, chasing down quarterbacks, or executing his assignment within the scheme, Crawford made strides each week. He didn’t need headlines—he just needed opportunity.
That opportunity is now staring him in the face as Auburn enters a pivotal 2025 campaign under second-year head coach Hugh Freeze. With a new defensive coordinator, a more aggressive scheme, and increased expectations across the board, Crawford is positioning himself to be a central piece in what Freeze hopes will be a revitalized defense.
“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this moment since I got here,” Crawford said during a recent offseason availability. “Every rep, every practice, every film session—it’s been leading up to this season. I know what I’m capable of, and now it’s time to show everyone else.”
Crawford’s mindset speaks volumes about his approach. He’s not content to be a rotational player. He’s aiming to be a game-changer. His offseason has reflected that determination. According to Auburn strength and conditioning staff, Crawford added muscle mass while maintaining his burst and agility. Teammates say he’s been relentless in workouts, setting the tone for younger players and establishing himself as a voice in the locker room.
“He’s one of the hardest workers we’ve got,” said linebacker Eugene Asante. “He doesn’t say a whole lot unless he has to, but when he speaks, people listen. And when he’s on the field, he lets his game do the talking.”
Crawford’s game is built on a strong foundation of athleticism, technique, and football IQ. He’s quick off the snap, understands leverage, and rarely finds himself out of position. What’s been missing to this point is consistency and sack production—two areas he’s spent the offseason working tirelessly to improve.
New defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who was hired from Miami in January, believes Crawford is tailor-made for the type of system Auburn will run in 2025. Guidry’s scheme is aggressive, demanding speed from the edge and chaos in the backfield. Crawford’s ability to move laterally, shed blocks, and finish plays makes him a natural fit.
“Keyron’s one of those guys that just fits,” Guidry said. “He’s smart, physical, and he’s got a motor that doesn’t stop. We’re going to let him loose this year. He’s earned that.”
That “green light” approach is something Crawford has welcomed. He admits that last year, he sometimes played too cautiously—focused more on alignment and assignment than disrupting plays. While discipline is still a focus, Guidry has encouraged his edge defenders to play more instinctively and with greater urgency.
“It’s like Coach Guidry gave us permission to go hunt,” Crawford said. “We’re still responsible for doing our job, but he wants us to be aggressive. That’s exactly the kind of football I love to play.”
Crawford’s goals for the season are clear. He wants to double his tackle numbers, hit at least six sacks, and force turnovers. But more than statistics, he wants to be remembered as a tone-setter—a defender who elevated the players around him and helped change the culture on that side of the ball.
“I want to be one of those guys you look back on and say, ‘He brought the edge back to Auburn’s defense,’” he said. “That’s the legacy I’m chasing.”
Auburn’s defense has long been known for its toughness and playmakers in the front seven. But recent years have seen a decline in sack totals and disruption. In 2024, the Tigers finished near the bottom of the SEC in quarterback pressures and ranked in the bottom half of the league in tackles for loss. That’s something Freeze and Guidry are determined to fix—and players like Crawford will be essential in that mission.
The depth chart at EDGE is competitive, but Crawford’s experience gives him a clear advantage. Younger talents like redshirt sophomore Dylan Brooks and freshman Malik Autry are pushing for time, but Crawford is expected to be the leader of the group. His knowledge of SEC offenses, combined with his offseason transformation, makes him the most complete option to start and lead the rotation.
“He’s a senior now,” Guidry said. “This is his time. We’ve got a lot of talent in that room, but Keyron has earned his shot to be ‘the guy.’”
Leadership is something Crawford takes seriously. Though naturally soft-spoken, he’s taken on a more vocal role this offseason—especially with freshmen who are still learning how to prepare like SEC athletes. He’s been seen coaching up younger teammates during practice, helping them break down film, and even running extra drills after team sessions.
“I used to be the one soaking everything in,” Crawford said. “Now I’m trying to pour it back out. I want these young guys to understand that it goes by fast. You don’t want to look back and have regrets.”
As Auburn gets set for a brutal 2025 schedule—one that includes matchups against Baylor, Georgia, LSU, Texas, and Alabama—defensive execution will be critical. Teams like Georgia and Texas have NFL-caliber offensive lines, and quarterbacks who can pick apart soft coverage. Auburn’s pass rush will need to apply pressure early and often if the Tigers hope to slow down those high-powered attacks.
Crawford understands what’s coming. And he’s not intimidated.
“I’ve faced the best of the best already,” he said. “There’s nobody on our schedule I haven’t seen before. The difference now is, I’m better prepared. I know how to study. I know how to attack. I know what it takes.”
Crawford is also motivated by what’s at stake after this season. With NFL aspirations and a growing buzz around his name, 2025 is a make-or-break year for his draft stock. Scouts have already noted his frame, footwork, and ability to close on ball carriers. What they need to see now is disruption—sacks, strip-fumbles, and consistent impact plays that change games.
That’s what Crawford is chasing. But for him, the team still comes first.
“If I do my job, the numbers will come,” he said. “But more important is helping us win. I want to be part of the group that gets Auburn back to Atlanta, back in the Playoff talk. That’s the real goal.”
There’s still a long way to go before those dreams can become reality. Fall camp will bring battles, install periods, and the grind of preparation. But as the Tigers line up for the first snap of the season, don’t be surprised if No. 8 is on the field, setting the edge, staring down a quarterback, and letting everyone know that Auburn football is ready to turn the page.
Keyron Crawford may not have started as a star. But in 2025, he’s writing his own legacy—one play at a time.
