Jamison Crowder

A three-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Crowder narrowed his college choice to Duke, North Carolina or East Carolina, choosing the Blue Devils. He saw part-time action as a true freshman wide receiver in 2011 with 14 receptions, but led the team in all-purpose yards (1,141) because of his impact on kick returns (21.4 average). Crowder earned a starting position as a sophomore in 2012 and led the team with 1,074 receiving yards on 76 catches and eight touchdowns, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention honors. He set a new ACC record as a junior with 108 receptions and his 1,360 receiving yards and seven 100-yard receiving games were both school records. He earned First Team All-ACC honors as a wide receiver and punt returner, averaging 16.0 yards per return with two return scores in 2013. Crowder led the team in receiving for the third straight year in 2014 with 85 catches for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, earning First Team All-ACC honors. He earned an invitation to the 2015 Senior Bowl.

weaknesses

Undersized frame with below average height, arm length and hand size...size is likely maxed out and won't get much bigger/stronger...miniscule catching radius and overall target for passers...quick to run and will drop some easy passes because he's too focused on the yards after the catch.

strengths

Excellent foot quickness and agility with instant acceleration and multiple gears...beautiful change of direction skills and start/stop twitch to make defenders miss...great feel for his surroundings with subtle moves to set up defenders with or without the ball...savvy routes and tracking skills to play above his measureables with controlled speed to go and get the ball - hard to overthrow or underthrow him deep with the way he plays the ball.

can be manhandled and controlled at the line of scrimmage, struggling to break free after defenders get their hands on him...won't break many tackles or power through contact...bad habit of using his hands to push off or gain separation...needs to improve his ball security, holding the ball too loose while dancing, making it easy for it to get popped out (10 career fumbles)...high catch rate, but low touchdown production, scoring once every 12.3 receptions in his career.

IN OUR VIEW

the acc's all-time co-leader in catches, crowder is a pint-sized target with a smallish catching radius, but he has the seasoned routes and ballskills to secure receptions away from his body without breaking stride to create as a ballcarrier. he does his best work in space where he shows his change of direction skills and intuitive moves, processing everything quickly with thinking that appears two moves ahead of the current one.

He's a tiny target for passers, which will create doubt for some teams, but Crowder is an instant slot and special teams contributor who will make it tough for coaches to keep him off the field and could have a similar rookie impact as Cardinals wide receiver John Brown.

snatches the ball well with his hands, preferring to attack instead of letting it get to his body...looks the ball in with innate focus, catching the ball in stride without slowing his momentum...nice burst at the line of scrimmage to beat press...creates separation with head fakes and slight hesitation, fooling defenders and selling routes...better blocker than expected, giving up his body with a willing, tough-minded attitude...hungry and determined, the type of player who wants the ball on every snap and won't take plays off.

Versatile weapon as a return man with four punt returns for touchdowns and 16.1 average in his career (54/869)...considers his Academic All-ACC honors two straight years as his "proudest achievement" at Duke...leaves school tied with his former teammate Conner Vernon for the all-time ACC record in career receptions (283) and ranks second in school history behind Vernon in career receiving yards (3,641).

Three-year letterman at Monroe under coach Johnny Sowell

helped Monroe to a three-year record of 29-10 with three state playoff berths

listed as the No. 65 athlete in the nation by ESPN.com

as a senior, rushed for 641 yards and 11 TDs, caught 41 passes for 790 yards and nine TDs and had four returns for scores

2010 first team all-state (1A) choice by NCPreps.com

Rocky River Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2010. As a junior, had 26 catches for 618 yards with 19 total TDs

participated in the 74th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas played December 18, 2010 in Spartanburg, S.C.

also participated in basketball and track and field

helped Monroe to a 32-1 record and the 2010 1A state basketball championship

Rocky River Conference Player of the Year in basketball as a junior.

Son of Brenda and James Crowder

father played football at North Carolina A&T

cousin, Terrell Smith, lettered four seasons as a DB at Duke (2000-01-02-03) and earned All-ACC honors in 2003

high school teammate of fellow Duke football program members Issac Blakeney and Quay Chambers

born June 17, 1993

majoring in sociology while minoring in African and African American studies

also pursuing a certificate in markets and management.