Auburn Football Summer Report: Is Keyron Crawford the Only Thing Keeping the Tigers’ Pass Rush from Collapse?

The Auburn Tigers have long been known for their powerhouse defenses. Year in and year out, the team’s defensive front has been a formidable force in the SEC. Yet, as the 2023 season looms, there’s a growing sense of unease around Auburn’s pass rush. The question on everyone’s mind: Can Keyron Crawford step up and become the Tigers’ de facto pass rusher, or is Auburn’s defense on the brink of a major breakdown?

For years, Auburn has relied on a dynamic defensive front to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With players like Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson in recent memory, the Tigers were feared for their ability to disrupt offenses. However, the last few seasons have seen a noticeable drop-off in pass rush production. In 2022, Auburn ranked a dismal 10th in the SEC in sacks, a shocking stat for a program that has prided itself on aggressive, disruptive defense.

The root of Auburn’s pass rush woes is multifaceted. From underperforming edge rushers to an inability to consistently generate pressure through the middle, Auburn has struggled to replace the talent that once made its defensive line a wrecking crew. This has placed undue pressure on the secondary, which has had to cover longer than expected, leading to breakdowns and big plays.

This brings us to Keyron Crawford. Crawford, a 6’4″, 250-pound linebacker, is being touted as the potential savior of Auburn’s pass rush. But can he really live up to that title, or is he simply a stopgap solution to a much larger problem?

Crawford’s emergence as a key player for the Tigers’ defense has been gradual but promising. After a solid freshman campaign where he showed flashes of his potential, Crawford is now poised to take on a more prominent role. He has the size, speed, and athleticism to be an impact player, but the question remains: does he have the consistency and technique to lead Auburn’s pass rush?

Auburn’s coaching staff is hoping that Crawford can transition into a hybrid linebacker role, giving him the freedom to rush the passer from a variety of positions. His versatility is one of his most attractive qualities. Last season, Crawford demonstrated that he can be a disruptive force when asked to rush the quarterback, but he was often inconsistent and struggled to finish plays. Whether it’s dealing with double-teams or simply not getting the push he needs, Crawford has yet to fully translate his potential into game-changing plays.

However, Crawford’s development this summer has been closely monitored by both coaches and fans alike. Reports from Auburn’s summer practices have shown that Crawford has added muscle to his frame and improved his technique. If he can harness that newfound strength and refine his pass-rushing technique, Crawford could be the game-changer Auburn desperately needs. But is it too late for him to make that leap?

The question isn’t just whether Crawford can perform—it’s whether he’ll have the support around him to succeed. Auburn’s defensive line is thin, particularly in terms of proven pass rushers. With no established stars at defensive end or linebacker, Crawford may find himself facing double-teams on almost every snap. If Auburn’s defensive line doesn’t step up to draw attention away from Crawford, he’ll likely struggle to reach the quarterback consistently.

Additionally, the Tigers’ secondary has shown vulnerability in recent seasons, often leaving their pass rushers with little margin for error. If Auburn can’t find a way to improve in the secondary, pass rushers like Crawford will be forced to work even harder to compensate for coverage breakdowns.

Despite these challenges, Crawford has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time. With the right coaching and development, he could very well become a standout player in the SEC. But as the Tigers enter a crucial season, it remains to be seen whether Crawford can develop into the kind of game-changing pass rusher Auburn desperately needs.

While Keyron Crawford is a player to watch, much of the responsibility for turning Auburn’s pass rush around falls on the shoulders of the coaching staff. The Tigers’ defensive coordinator, Ron Roberts, has a track record of building aggressive defenses, but he faces a unique challenge this year. Roberts will need to create schemes that maximize the strengths of players like Crawford while addressing the glaring weaknesses in Auburn’s pass rush.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Roberts is how he plans to utilize Crawford’s versatility. Will he be deployed as a traditional outside linebacker, or will Auburn experiment with him as a defensive end in passing situations? His ability to rush from multiple positions could be the key to unlocking his potential, but that requires smart play-calling and well-executed blitz packages.

Moreover, Auburn’s defensive staff must address the fundamental issues in the pass rush. For too long, Auburn has relied on the occasional star pass rusher to carry the load. This season, the focus must shift to creating a more balanced and cohesive defensive front. If Auburn can’t find a way to generate pressure consistently, Crawford’s individual efforts will likely fall short of the team’s needs.

The SEC is notorious for its high-powered offenses, and the lack of a consistent pass rush could be Auburn’s downfall in the 2023 season. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU will test the Tigers’ defense in ways that smaller schools simply can’t. If Auburn is unable to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, it will be forced to rely on a secondary that hasn’t been particularly reliable in recent years.

For Auburn to be competitive in the SEC West, they will need more than just Keyron Crawford to step up. They’ll need a complete defensive overhaul, with players like Crawford setting the tone. With that said, Crawford’s development is still a critical piece of the puzzle. If he can become the game-changing pass rusher Auburn has lacked in recent seasons, he could be the spark that ignites a revitalization of the Tigers’ defense.

The 2023 season will be a defining year for both Keyron Crawford and Auburn’s defensive unit as a whole. If Crawford fails to make the leap into a consistent pass rusher, Auburn will continue to struggle on defense, and the team’s chances of competing at a high level will be slim. However, if Crawford can unlock his potential, he may very well be the missing piece that allows Auburn to compete with the SEC’s elite.

For Auburn fans, the next few months will be a tense waiting game. Will Keyron Crawford live up to the hype? Or will he become just another name in a long list of failed pass-rushing projects? Regardless of the outcome, the pressure on Crawford is palpable, and the eyes of the Auburn faithful will be firmly fixed on him throughout the summer and into the fall.

As Auburn prepares for its 2023 campaign, one thing is certain: the Tigers’ defense, and its pass rush in particular, will make or break the season. And for now, Keyron Crawford holds the weight of Auburn’s defensive future squarely on his shoulders.