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Last weekend, defensive end Corey Crawford was huddled with his family at home, anticipating hearing his name called at some point during the NFL Draft. It didn't come.
But less than a week later the Redskins have given the Clemson product an opportunity, one he's been ready to take for a while.
"It's a moment that I've been waiting for for a long time," he told Ledger-Enquirer. "The emotions are going to be there and it will be in remembrance of my mother, knowing this is something she would have been very proud to have been a part of. It's going to mean a lot if I get that call and I'm able to say that I'm living out my dream."
Crawford had reason to have draft hopes. In his four years at Clemson, he made 35 starts, collected 155 tackles (25.5 for loss), six sacks and 34 quarterback hurries. He's also able to make some athletic plays in the open field, like this interception against Georgia a few years ago.
"The way I play the run and the physicality I bring to the game. Being able to be a big, thick guy that can run to the ball and tackle," Crawford said in the same interview. "And in the passing game, getting my hands up to bat down balls. Pressure the quarterback, get him out of the pocket and things of that nature."
Crawford didn't get into football until seventh grade but by the end of high school, at Hargrave Military Academy, he was rated the No. 1 prep school player in the nation by 247Sports.com.
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