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Northside Christian defensive end Sylvester Crawford, who has committed to N.C. State, doesn't think anyone can block him.
“I want to be in on every play,” he said. “I want to make the sack or hurry the quarterback or make the tackle. I want to help my team any way I can.”
Northside Christian is 1-4 this season and plays at 6-1 Hickory Grove on Friday. But Crawford has been outstanding. After getting 18 sacks last season against Victory Christian, he has 11 sacks, 52 tackles, three caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2008. He has at least four games remaining.
“It's hard to find kids his size playing now,” said Northside first-year coach Brentson Buckner, a former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle. “He's 6-5, 230 (pounds). Most kids that size feel like they're basketball players. But he has good technique and he never stops. He has this hunger to get to the ball that colleges like.”
Buckner said West Virginia, Western Carolina and Clemson also offered scholarships. Crawford said he chose N.C. State, where coaches plan to put 25 pounds on him, to stay close to home.
N.C. State assistant coach Jim (Bridge) “recruited me and we bonded a lot and formed a relationship,” Crawford said. “We talk often, and I like their defensive line coach, coach (Keith) Willis and they were telling me I could get playing time sooner than later. I really liked that.”
