NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: James Crawford, LB, University of Illinois

What is your name?

James Crawford Jr

What is your Height/Weight?

6’3 240

What is your position?

OLB

Where do you play college football?

University of Illinois

Where are you from?

Deerfield Beach, Florida (St. Thomas Aquila’s high school)

Who is your role model, and why? My parents because they’ve taught me everything I know and play a huge factor in me being where I am today! We never together but made things work for my good and that shows me a lot.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Dr. Costello because he was very personable and made sure he got his teaching lessons in although he liked to get off topic.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yea I played baseball and ran track. 3rd basemen and pitcher and outfielder and ran 100m and 200m in track

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Joey Bosa

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Tymir Oliver

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

Meek Mill dreams into nightmares

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Von Miller, very similar size but I think I have a bit more speed and quickness but he’s for sure stronger and more polished at the position.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Pray 3 times upon arrival to the stadium and kick off

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

Sack fumble that wasn’t called vs Wisconsin because it would’ve changed the game and we may have beaten them. I’ll never forget it

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

Built a friendship with a homeless man after buying him a couple meals talking to him and still hangs with him

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Oakland Raiders because my uncle Charles Woodson played for them.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Beyoncé, Tupac, Obama