Crawford earns Opening invite at SPARQ Combine
The Nike SPARQ Combine took its tour to Massillon, Ohio over the weekend, and several Midwest players of interest participated. That includes 2015 U-M commit Shaun Crawford.
Crawford to The OpeningLakewood (Ohio) St. Edward defensive back Shaun Crawford compiled the second-best SPARQ rating of the players in attendance, notching a 4.50-second laser-timed 40-yard dash, a 4.03 shuttle run, and a 36.6-inch vertical jump among his more impressive marks en route to a 113.55 rating. For his efforts, Crawford earn an invitation to Nike's The Opening elite camp in Beaverton, Ore. this summer.
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Michigan fans have long known Crawford is extremely athletic - but putting numbers to the eyeball test shows just how athletic he is. What's more important though is how he translates that athleticism to the field. Crawford showed during his junior year that he can make an impact when the pads come on, not just in a combine setting.
Impressive marksThe best SPARQ rating of any player in attendance was put forth by a Michigan native. Grand Ledge 2015 linebacker Jonathan Dobie isn't a hot name in recruiting circles, but his power allowed him to attain a 114.78 mark in the SPARQ ratings. He's undersized for a linebacker at the Division-1 level, unless he continues to put on much more weight through the end of his junior year into the summer.
The best 40-yard dash of any player was a tie, and the honor belonged to a pair of 2015 prospects. Baltimore Gilman School wide receiver Jelani Roberts and Mayfield (Ohio) wide receiver Andy Isabella both came in at 4.39 seconds. That's serious speed. Roberts stands just 5-7, which may make it tough to get the attention of bigtime schools no matter how fast he is. Isabella, however, is 5-10, and can turn some heads with his output.
6-0, 160-pound sophomore Simeon Kemp of Flint Carman-Ainsworth was the fastest Michigan-based player in attendance. His 4.43-second time in the 40-yard dash was impressive.
Other in-statersMichigan State commit Tyson Smith, a 2015 cornerback from Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's Prep, was the 17th-best overall performer and second-best from Michigan with a 97.74 rating. Smith's former teammate, Ja'Mar Antwine (now at Pontiac High School), was third-best in the state at 94.14.
Novi Detroit Catholic Central has been a program that is very kind to Michigan, sending the likes of Mike Martin, Matt Godin, and Wyatt Shallman to Ann Arbor in recent years. While those are all big boys, 5-11, 170-pound safety Alex Bock was right on Antwine's heels with a 93.84 SPARQ rating, with a 4.61-second 40-yard dash and a 35.8-inch vertical leap. Just a sophomore, he's one to watch.
Behind Bock was a local product, Saline defensive back Tyrone Miller, who transferred from Ann Arbor Pioneer prior to last season, had an impressive 4.27-second shuttle time en route to a 92.91 SPARQ rating.
Young talentIsabella's high school teammate, wide receiver Bailey Rotsky, topped all freshmen in the SPARQ rating with an 82.62. He ran the 40- in 4.62 seconds, which is speed to burn for a2017 prospect already measuring in at 5-11, 163 pounds.
A player from a traditional power (and a school Michigan fans are very familiar with) was the second-best freshman in attendance. 5-11, 150-pound wide receiver Austin Jasinski of Massillon (Ohio) Washington put together an 80.85 SPARQ, with a 34.6-inch vertical jump leading the way.
See full results from the SPARQ Combine here.
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