The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to showcase themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Auburn defensive end Keyron Crawford plans on taking full advantage. Crawford recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Crawford also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his pro comparisons at defensive end, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Crawford better ahead of his journey to the Panini Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite, and what was your initial reaction?
Keyron Crawford: I was at Auburn’s facility. I was excited when I found out I was invited. I can’t wait to get down to Mobile. This was my first time getting invited to something like this. I had been wondering if I was going to get an invite (laughs).
It was an exciting moment when I got that call.
JM: It doesn’t sound like it took much convincing, but what motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Keyron Crawford: I know the best of the best prospects in the country are going to be at the Senior Bowl. Once the NFL season ends, I know the Senior Bowl is the main event on their calendar.
Being a prospect in this pre-draft process, I feel like I had to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer. I have to make the most of this opportunity.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Keyron Crawford: That I’ve been an underdog my entire life. I’m used to being overlooked. I know a lot of people think I’m smaller or undersized, but I don’t believe that’s the case. I’m ready to show everybody what I’m all about, what they’ve been missing about me.
That’s always my mindset, it’s always going to be my mindset when I attend an event like the Senior Bowl. I want to head toward the NFL draft with some momentum. I’m never going to change my approach. I’m hungry.
JM: How would you write your own scouting report? Describe your traits and abilities. Self-scout yourself at EDGE for us.
Keyron Crawford: I’m a dog. I love talking trash. I’m a big competitor. I’m a twitchy and fast pass rusher. I love getting to the quarterback. I’m relentless when chasing the QB. I feel like I do a lot of good things out there.
There’s still room for improvement. I’m definitely a leader in the room, though. I’m always willing to speak up and call out BS. I’m not afraid to speak up, but I’m also willing to listen. Nobody is right 100% of the time.
I want to help set the standard, but I’m always attentive and aware of what’s going on around me.
JM: We love that. How would you describe your pass-rush arsenal? What are your go-to moves and counters?
Keyron Crawford: I’m probably one of the best pass rushers in this draft. Speaking for myself, from my perspective, I feel like I’m gonna be one of the best pass rushers in the world.
I was one of the best pass rushers in college football, definitely [one of the best] in the SEC. I wasn’t getting a lot of attention if you only scout the box score. I want to bring my entire arsenal to the Senior Bowl.
JM: It was obvious on tape. If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL pass rusher, who would you choose and why? Is there anyone in particular you try to study and learn from?
Keyron Crawford: I’d probably say Brian Burns. I love Maxx Crosby because he plays with so much effort and enthusiasm. I try to mimic the amount of aggression Maxx Crosby plays the game with.
I have a little Von Miller to my game. I love that ghost [pass-rush] move. I watch a little T.J. Watt. I think I belong in that category.
JM: You made the big move from Arkansas State to Auburn. That’s a big move to SEC ball. Talk to me about that transition. You had 5.0 sacks this past season. How do you think you handled the step up in competition?
Keyron Crawford: I handled the step up. I worked hard and understood what my position was. I knew what I wanted to achieve and what I wanted to get out of the transfer. I was a backup during my junior season behind Jalen McLeod. I learned a lot from playing behind him.
I knew my role and understood my position. When I first got there, I wasn’t comfortable playing that role. I never complained. I put my head down and went to work. I didn’t always see eye to eye with the coaching staff, but I applied myself.
That was the reason I didn’t play as much my junior season. I was still getting comfortable. I stepped into the coaching office multiple times and had some difficult conversations. It got better after a couple of games, especially at the midway point of last season.
I told the coaching staff that I knew I should be playing a lot more snaps. They ended up putting me out there earlier than ever before. I played well in that Kentucky game. I showed my coaches something they hadn’t seen before.
They were willing to throw me out there and let me ball. I created a little spark for myself halfway through our season. I started gaining some confidence. I finished the season strong. I got more confident in that position.
It became my time to shine. I took advantage of that opportunity in my final season. I attacked it with everything I had. I brought the best out of my teammates as well.
JM: We’ve appreciated your time today and your honesty. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Keyron Crawford?
Keyron Crawford: Attending the Senior Bowl is a dream come true. I didn’t know if I was going to end up in this position or not. I’m ready to accomplish something special. It’s a blessing.
