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Summer is here, sort of, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans and give them names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay.
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so that Bucs fans can be the most informed.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Kameryn Crawford is one of the more intriguing developmental edge defenders in the 2027 class. The former four-star recruit possesses the size, athletic profile, and versatility that NFL teams covet, but his film suggests a player whose instincts and football intelligence are currently ahead of his pass-rush development.
USC primarily deployed Crawford as a true edge defender, often working from a stand-up alignment outside the tackle. However, the Trojans also trusted him in reduced fronts, occasionally sliding him inside to a 4i alignment where his size and length allowed him to work against bigger bodies. That versatility adds value to his projection and gives defensive coaches multiple ways to utilize his skill set.
One of Crawford's best traits is his ability to diagnose plays while engaged with blockers. Rather than losing sight of the football, he consistently keeps his eyes in the backfield, allowing him to identify cutback lanes and react quickly when the ball changes direction. That awareness shows up repeatedly against the run and helps explain his strong tackling production despite modest pass-rush numbers.
As a run defender, Crawford displays the ability to lock out blockers, shed late, and finish plays. His pursuit effort stands out as well. He has enough athleticism to leave the edge and chase mobile quarterbacks on rollouts while also tracking running backs attempting to bounce plays outside. Those movement skills should translate well to the next level.
The biggest developmental area remains his pass-rush approach. Crawford currently operates as a reactive rusher, often reading the tackle before committing to a move rather than forcing blockers into uncomfortable situations. His hands remain active throughout the rep, but he does not consistently attack with the violence or decisiveness needed to maximize his physical gifts.
Another issue that appears on film is his tendency to play tall through contact. Crawford will occasionally straighten his legs after initiating contact, which causes him to lose leverage and limits his ability to convert speed into power. Improving his pad level and lower-body mechanics could unlock additional pass-rush production.
Ultimately, Crawford projects as a high-upside developmental defender whose best football may still be ahead of him. His frame, athleticism, versatility, and football intelligence provide a strong foundation, while continued refinement as a pass rusher could significantly elevate his NFL outlook.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report on USC's Kameryn Crawford
Continue reading...
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so that Bucs fans can be the most informed.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Background Info
- 6-foot-5, 265 pounds
- Junior
- Mobile, Alabama native
- Booker T. Washington High School graduate
- Former four-star recruit
- Former Top-10 EDGE recruit nationally
- Under Armour All-American
- All-American Bowl participant
- Big Ten All-Academic Team member
- Appeared in 21 games entering 2026
Notable Career Stats Heading Into 2026
- 60 career tackles
- 15 tackles for loss
- 7.5 sacks
- 1 fumble recovery
- 2 quarterback hurries
- 840 career defensive snaps
- 41 tackles in 2025
- 10.5 tackles for loss in 2025
- 5.5 sacks in 2025
Notable Numbers From PFF Heading Into 2026
- 39 career pressures
- 7 quarterback hits
- 24 hurries
- 69.5 pass-rush grade in 2025
- 67.7 run-defense grade in 2025
- 75.9 tackling grade in 2025
- 76.4 coverage grade in 2024
- 592 defensive snaps in 2025
Strengths
- NFL-caliber frame
- Good pursuit athleticism
- Functional bend
- Strong football IQ
- Excellent run recognition
- Active block shedding
- Reliable tackling
- High motor
- Good processing speed
- Comfortable playing in space
- Positional versatility
- Experience as a stand-up EDGE
- Can reduce inside to a 4i alignment
- Strong backside pursuit
- Keeps eyes in the backfield
- Functional range against mobile quarterbacks
Weaknesses
- Reactive pass-rush approach
- Pass-rush plan remains underdeveloped
- Doesn't consistently attack blockers with urgency
- Active hands but lacks consistent violence
- Tends to straighten his legs through contact
- Can lose leverage at the point of attack
- Twist execution can appear segmented
- Doesn't consistently convert speed to power
- Counter package remains limited
- More processor than aggressor as a pass rusher
Player Summary
Kameryn Crawford is one of the more intriguing developmental edge defenders in the 2027 class. The former four-star recruit possesses the size, athletic profile, and versatility that NFL teams covet, but his film suggests a player whose instincts and football intelligence are currently ahead of his pass-rush development.
USC primarily deployed Crawford as a true edge defender, often working from a stand-up alignment outside the tackle. However, the Trojans also trusted him in reduced fronts, occasionally sliding him inside to a 4i alignment where his size and length allowed him to work against bigger bodies. That versatility adds value to his projection and gives defensive coaches multiple ways to utilize his skill set.
One of Crawford's best traits is his ability to diagnose plays while engaged with blockers. Rather than losing sight of the football, he consistently keeps his eyes in the backfield, allowing him to identify cutback lanes and react quickly when the ball changes direction. That awareness shows up repeatedly against the run and helps explain his strong tackling production despite modest pass-rush numbers.
As a run defender, Crawford displays the ability to lock out blockers, shed late, and finish plays. His pursuit effort stands out as well. He has enough athleticism to leave the edge and chase mobile quarterbacks on rollouts while also tracking running backs attempting to bounce plays outside. Those movement skills should translate well to the next level.
The biggest developmental area remains his pass-rush approach. Crawford currently operates as a reactive rusher, often reading the tackle before committing to a move rather than forcing blockers into uncomfortable situations. His hands remain active throughout the rep, but he does not consistently attack with the violence or decisiveness needed to maximize his physical gifts.
Another issue that appears on film is his tendency to play tall through contact. Crawford will occasionally straighten his legs after initiating contact, which causes him to lose leverage and limits his ability to convert speed into power. Improving his pad level and lower-body mechanics could unlock additional pass-rush production.
Ultimately, Crawford projects as a high-upside developmental defender whose best football may still be ahead of him. His frame, athleticism, versatility, and football intelligence provide a strong foundation, while continued refinement as a pass rusher could significantly elevate his NFL outlook.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report on USC's Kameryn Crawford
Continue reading...
