2009 NFL Draft Interview - Maurice Crum, LB, Notre Dame

NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Maurice Crum, LB Notre Dame
by Paul Eide
Senior Writer
2/11/09

In a lot of ways, Maurice Crum is a poor man’s version of current Broncos linebacker and former draft prospect interviewee on this site, Wesley Woodyard. Crum finds himself in a similar situation to the one Woodyard was in last year at this time.

During the pre draft evaluation period, Woodyard was grouped into the “Tweener” category by many draft experts because he didn’t have prodigious height (6-1) or size (225) and wasn’t fast enough to be switched to safety at he next level. But, Woodyard did possess a certain “it” factor and play making ability that could not be ignored, and Woodyard ultimately signed with the Broncos and made 40 tackles in 6 starts in 2008.

Maurice Crum is similar in both height (6-0) and weight (235) as well the ability to make plays anywhere on the field. Crum was used in a variety of ways during his career at Notre Dame starting at outside linebacker as a sophomore, middle linebacker as a junior (both in a 4-3 scheme) and inside linebacker as a senior (in a 3-4 scheme). Because of his willingness to sacrifice statistics in favor of team need, he is one of only 17 players in Notre Dame history to be named captain twice. Crum started every contest over the last three seasons and holds Notre Dame's longest active streak for both most consecutive games played and started (37) and is one of only nine players in school history to have 300+ tackles. Crum’s contributions are not fully encompassed by his statistics but anyone who watched Notre Dame’s defense over the last four years became aware of his imprint. He makes plays at critical times.

TFE: You were only the 17th player in Notre Dame history to be named Captain twice. What did it mean to you?

MC: It was a definite accomplishment. The biggest part of that is that I was selected by my teammates. For them to see me in that light, week in week out, as the guy they want to follow behind is definitely an honor.

TFE: In your first two years at Notre Dame, you went to back to back BCS bowl games, the Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. How can compare the highs of that time to how difficult it’s been over the last two years?

MC: For me the comparison is just that those are completely different teams, comprised of older guys in my first two years versus playing with younger guys. The last two years I’ve been playing with younger guys trying to figure out who they are and what kind of players they are going to be while they’re trying to figure out college at the same time. It’s just two different stages of the program.

TFE: If you were the President of Notre Dame, and were in charge of all those alumni people that are out of control, would you tell them that, “Charlie Weis could turn this team around next season”?

MC: Absolutely. Without a shadow of a doubt. This upcoming season, we’ll start to see a lot of those younger guys I mentioned earlier start to grow. They’ve gone through the growing pains and they will be consistent. There is a lot of talent there and I think we’ll see that emerge next year.

TFE: Prior to your senior season you were selected for several “watch list” type of awards including the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award and the Lott Award to name a few. Was there any added pressure as a result?

MC: Not personally. My biggest thing is my teammates. Obviously I want to do well because I’m a competitor, but my #1 thing is ‘How can I help this team’? I put the majority of my energy into try to help the young guys out, so they develop faster, because that’s what we as a team needed.

TFE: Your father was Maurice Crum Sr, an All American linebacker for the University of Miami during the early 90’s and of course had a classic rivalry with Notre Dame during that time period. How did you break the news to him that you were going to attend Notre Dame?

MC: Actually he went with me on my recruiting visit and when I decided to commit. The first thing I told him is, “I think I’m going to commit.” And he shook his head and told me, “I agree.” That was not what I was expecting.