The 10 Most Important Players In 2009: #9

9. Jack Crawford, DE (So.)--Keeping with the underclassmen feel, Crawford is probably the most important player on the 2009 defensive line. Sure Jared Odrick is probably Penn State's best defensive lineman and a top NFL prospect, but Crawford's ability to replace SOME of the productivity void left by Maybin, Evans, and Gains will go a long way to determine this year's success. Crawford has been called a "freak" and has been lauded by his teammates, both current and former. He's also drawn comparisons to former PSU greats Michael Haynes and Courtney Brown considering his size and freakish athleticism.

However, Crawford's "value" and "importance" will be in his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks (obviously something Maybin very well) and in stopping the run at the point-of-attack (Maybin's weakness). If he can do both, Penn State will have it's best all-around defensive end in the last 4 years. Doing so will take more pressure off of Odrick, Latham, Hayes, Ogbu, Koroma, et al. Most importantly, Crawford can take pressure off of Penn State's very young defensive backfield by applying consistent pressure on the quarterback.