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Given the sheer physical nature of Ohio Bobcats nose guard Antwan Crutcher, one might be intimidated. But he doesn't rely on looks alone to strike fear into the hearts of opposing backfields. Over the past two years the Cleveland native has broken through opposing lines and backed up expectations that come along with his size.
Crutcher attended high school at football power Glenville High in Cleveland, and played for legendary head coach Ted Ginn, Sr. The older Ginn is the father, of course, of Ted Ginn, Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals. A heavyweight in high school, Crutcher also wrestled at Glenville and never lost a conference match. Couple that with his being a dominating interior defensive lineman who was ranked the 66th best defensive tackle by ESPN his senior year and its no wonder he's found success plowing through offensive lines.
The senior defensive tackle, who comes in at 6 foot 2 and 304 pounds, started all 13 games at nose guard for Ohio this past season. He registered 50 tackles (18 solo) in 2013, and had three games in which he piled up seven-plus tackles. Pretty impressive for an interior lineman. All of this, a year after making forty tackles.
The biggun', who goes by the nickname of "Crutch", is receiving notable attention coming into the 2014 season. He has been named All-MAC lists and preseason watch lists, like the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Team, and Phil Steele's Preseason All-MAC team, just to note two. And it's understandable all things considered.
So now, with a defensive line that is experienced with likes of Crutcher, Tarell Basham, Brandon Purdum and Kurt Laseak, "Crutch" is poised for a standout senior season to justify his No. 42 ranking on our countdown.