Pacifica cornerback Maliki Crawford will make most of his 6-foot-4 body

Eighth in a sequence of tales profiling top significant college football gamers by placement. Now, Maliki Crawford, Oxnard Pacifica defensive back again.

Maliki Crawford’s 79-inch arm-span isn’t very the 12.1-foot wingspan of the wandering albatross, but never inform that to the receivers seeking to capture passes following he makes use of his attain to make a deflection.

Those long arms assistance make him the rarest of cornerbacks, alongside with an additional one of a kind actual physical trait — his 6-foot-4 height.

He smiles and laughs when asked if he thinks he’s as well tall to participate in cornerback.

“I don’ know what to say about that issue,” he mentioned. “I just play soccer.”

Crawford’s extensive arms, agility, quickness and athleticism set receivers on detect that he’s a defensive again all set to be analyzed and challenged, determined not to again down from everyone.

“I uncovered myself having to show myself, which is awesome,” he mentioned. “I don’t have a dilemma with that.”

Crawford’s size is so intriguing that there are limitless opportunities as to what he may well be equipped to achieve in football if he continues to show he can address receivers of all styles and dimensions.

“A ton of people never think we can backpedal,” Crawford claimed.

College or university recruiters have provided Crawford a variety of observations. Some feel his measurement might consequence in him getting to be a pretty good protection. Other people believe as prolonged as his mobility retains enhancing, he’ll be a significantly-wanted cornerback. He finished up committing to USC this month.

Bucky Brooks, the football mentor at Granada Hills Significant and a former NFL defensive back again, mentioned Crawford’s sizing will outcome in lots of discussion and dialogue. One particular of the number of 6-4 cornerbacks to excel in the NFL was Brandon Browner. One particular of the ideal corners is 6-3 Richard Sherman.

“At 6-4, you are salivating,” Brooks reported. “His features make him an intriguing prospect.”

Brooks mentioned as long as Crawford’s agility retains progressing, he’ll be substantially in desire to address the tall, athletic receivers starting off to just take more than the professional match.

“I’ll say this — any cornerback more than 6 ft tall is truly coveted,” Brooks mentioned. “A kid who’s 6-4 would be attractive if he has motion capabilities. You just really do not get men with that type of length.”

Pacifica mentor Mike Moon reported another positive for Crawford is his willingness to pay attention to coaches.

“He’s a wonderful kid,” Moon reported. “He just would like to develop, find out and build.”

One more edge for Crawford is he can use his physicality to hold off scaled-down receivers from running their pattern, jamming them at the line of scrimmage whilst developing time for defensive linemen to get to the quarterback in advance of anyone is open up.

“Coming into this year, my objective is to have double-digit interceptions,” he said.

His profile is envisioned to increase since Pacifica really should be one particular of the top rated groups in Ventura County and go on a long successful streak if the Tritons get previous their 1st two opponents, Westlake Village Westlake and Ventura St. Bonaventure.

What ever takes place, it is likely to be enjoyment seeing Crawford use his exceptional size to check himself against a wide range of receivers making an attempt to figure out means to escape his shadow.

Defensive backs to watch

Identify, College, Ht, Wt, Yr, Comment

Daylen Austin, Extended Beach Poly, 6-2, 180, Sr. — LSU commit follows extended tradition of major Poly cornerbacks

Sean Brown, Simi Valley, 6-3, 195, Sr. — Arizona dedicate has great agility for his size

Zabien Brown, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-2, 180, Jr. — Will be counted on to execute at optimum amount

Maliki Crawford, Oxnard Pacifica, 6-4, 180, Sr. — Measurement, athleticism, instincts make him unique

Vincent Holmes, San Jacinto, 6-2, 170, Sr. — Washington dedicate has velocity, toughness

Marquis Gallegos, West Hills Chaminade, 6-1, 170, Jr. — Had four interceptions as a sophomore

Ty Lee, Bellflower St. John Bosco, 6-3, 190, Sr. — UCLA dedicate has closing speed at safety

Christian Pierce, Rancho Cucamonga, 6-2, 170, Sr. — USC commit is hitter at security

Rodrick Pleasant, Gardena Serra, 5-11, 180, Sr. — Speediest in California and doesn’t get crushed

Peyton Woodyard, St. John Bosco, 6-2, 188, Jr. — Security with character, toughness, quickness

Tomorrow: Aidan Flintoft, Westlake Village Oaks Christian punter and kicker.