Oregon State Football: Most Valuable Player Countdown- #3 Xavier Crawford

#3- Xavier Crawford- Cornerback

One of last years biggest surprises for the Beavs was the emergence of freshman cornerback Xavier Crawford who locked down the spot opposite former Beav and current Houston Texan Treston Decoud. Crawford who was a part of Mike Riley’s final OSU recruiting class after flipping from a commitment to San Diego State. The Pittsburg, California native gray-shirted for Riley’s final year before redshirting during Andersen’s inaugural Beaver campaign. A 2-year absence from playing a game didn't seem to hurt Crawford who burst on to the scenes in 2016, playing well enough to be recognized as a Freshman All-American by Athlon Sports.

2017 will present a bigger challenge for Crawford, who had the benefit of an NFL bound veteran on the opposite side of the field taking on the opponents #1 receiver, now it’s the “X-man’s” turn to be the top dog. He will be flanked by an experienced nickleback in Dwayne Williams, but beyond that, the corner position is a giant question mark at this point. Crawford and senior safety Brandon Arnold will be expected to lead a new look defensive backfield, which right now may be the biggest unknown among the position groups. Last year the group was a question mark coming into the season as well, but the emergence of Crawford help turn it into the strength It’s not going to be easy to replace Decoud, but Crawford has shown he has the talent to do it, the biggest challenge will be finding someone on the other side to become this years Xavier Crawford.

Will Crawford take his game to the next level? Will the Beaver secondary be a strength yet again? Will the nickname X-man catch on? We’re just 3 days from finding out the answers to those questions and so many more.

List So Far:

#3: Xavier Crawford - CB

#4: Bright Ugwoegbu - LB

#5: Jake Luton - QB

#6: Jordan Villamin - WR

#7: Noah Togiai - TE

#8: Seth Collins - WR

#9: Surprise Newcomers

#10: Fred Lauina - OG/RT

#11: Gus Lavaka - OG

#12: Kalani Vakameilalo - DT

#13: Elu Aydon - DT

#14: Thomas Tyner - RB

#15: Andrzej Hughes-Murray - LB

#16: Blake Brandel - OT

#17: Timmy Hernandez - WR

#18: Sumner Houston - Center

#19: Baker Pritchard- DE

#20: Kammy Delp - OG

#21: Artavis Pierce - RB

#22: Phillip Napoleon - DE

#23: Brandon Arnold - S

#24: Jay Irvine - CB

#25: Isaiah Hodgins - WR

#26: Christian Wallace - CB

#27: Trent Moore - OL

#28: Titus Failuaga - DE

#29: Dwayne Williams - CB

#30: Paisa Savea - DT

#31: Craig Evans - DT

#32: Jalen Moore - S

#33: Justin Sattelmaier - OL

#34: Trevon Bradford - WR

#35: Jonathan Willis - ILB

#36: Tuli Wily-Matagi - TE

#37: Doug Taumoelau - ILB

#38: Shemar Smith - OLB

#39: Hamilcar Rashed Jr. - OLB

#40: David Morris - S/OLB

#41: Nick Porebski - P

#42: Omar Hicks-Onu - S

#43: Isaac Garcia - DE

#44: Andre Bodden- WR

#45: Trajon Cotton - S

#46: Shemiah Unutoa-Whitson - OLB

#47: Kolby Taylor - WR

#48: Darell Garretson - QB

#49: Jordan Choukair - K

#50: Thor Katoa - DT/OLB