Colorado University Athletics
Crawford Brings Championship Standard, Versatility to Boulder
June 10, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Colorado Buffaloes Carson Crawford knew CU was different before he ever put on a Buffaloes uniform.
For a kid from Carthage, Texas, the first impression was hard to miss. The mountains, the snow and the view coming into Boulder gave Crawford a feeling he had not experienced back home.
"It's a wow shock," Crawford said. "A kid from a small town in Texas, you don't get to see a whole lot of the mountains or snow. Pictures don't do it justice. You've got to come see it in person."
But Colorado became more than just a different view. For Crawford, the decision came down to relationships, especially the connection he built with the coaching staff.
"It's really just the coaching staff," Crawford said. "We have a really strong connection. Coach Hart, the linebacker guy that recruited me, me and him have a really close connection. Kind of further than ball, just the connection we have off the field and on the field."
That bond, along with his official visit, helped make Boulder feel like home.
"My official visit was kind of the big thing for me," Crawford said. "I wasn't really going to come, to be honest with you, but I ended up coming and loved it. My family loved it. My mom and dad came with me, and they enjoyed every bit of it. It was a different scene from Texas."
Now, Crawford is beginning his first chapter with the Buffaloes after arriving as an early enrollee. For him, that decision was about giving himself the best chance to compete.
"I like to play, and this was just a step to be able to step on the field earlier," Crawford said. "That was the biggest thing for me, just being able to get on the field. Getting in the playbook earlier, getting used to the workouts. You're not coming in in June and trying to get six months of work in two or three months."
Crawford came to Colorado after a decorated career at Carthage High School, one of the top programs in Texas. He played four seasons of varsity football under head coach Scott Surratt, earned all-state honors three times and helped Carthage win three state championships during a 57-2 run.
More than the wins, Crawford said Carthage gave him a foundation that has helped his transition to college football. The Bulldogs' system required film study, playbook work and detailed walkthroughs, habits that made Colorado feel less overwhelming.
"It helped me a lot," Crawford said. "We were in a complex system at the high school I was at. We won state three of my four years, so we were a really good program. That's all props to those coaches. Carthage prepared me, showed you how to study, showed you how to get in the playbook, do walkthroughs the right way."
The standard at Carthage also taught Crawford how to work. He said players began learning the system in seventh grade, and each year brought more responsibility. That environment taught him how to prepare before the lights came on.
"Everybody was down to get work in, regardless if it was in season or out of season," Crawford said. "The extra work, I feel like that was the biggest thing."
That work showed up in his production. As a junior, Crawford helped lead Carthage to a 15-1 record and a state championship, finishing with 91 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception and two defensive touchdowns.
In the state championship game against Waco La Vega, Crawford showed the full range of his ability. He played seven different positions in Carthage's 28-14 win, finishing with nine tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a touchdown reception.
To Crawford, that performance showed one of the biggest strengths of his game.
"Versatile," Crawford said. "I feel like that's a big thing, just being able to put me in spots to make plays."
That versatility continued into his senior season. Through early December, Crawford had totaled 97 tackles, 23 quarterback hurries, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also contributed on offense with 15 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns, along with a 21-yard passing touchdown.
Crawford said the game slowed down for him during his final two seasons at Carthage. With confidence, experience and strong defensive lines in front of him, he was able to play the way he wanted.
"Just getting comfortable," Crawford said. "Being able to play the style I play, being able to play fast and violent. That's the biggest thing."
At Colorado, Crawford is now bringing that same mindset into a new locker room. He has already noticed the energy around the program, from the players to the community.
"The energy that's surrounding this place, the guys in it, a lot of buying in from all the guys," Crawford said. "Everybody's just buying in, coming together off the field as well. Just the community support is crazy out here."
Away from football, Crawford describes himself much differently than the player who lines up on defense. On the field, he wants to be physical, fast and relentless. Off the field, he wants to be known for how he treats people.
"I like to be kind and outgoing," Crawford said. "I don't want anybody off the street to say I was rude to them or anything like that. I always try to be kind, even when nobody's watching."
That approach also shows up in his community work through his church. Crawford said giving back is important because he understands the opportunity he has been given.
"If you're blessed enough to come to a place like this, help those that aren't as blessed as you," Crawford said. "That's a big thing for me, just being able to touch somebody spiritually. Just sharing the word."
Crawford has also found a way to enjoy Colorado through one of his favorite hobbies: golf. He said he has taken advantage of the courses around Boulder and enjoys getting out with teammates when he has free time.
"I think golf is a big thing," Crawford said. "Out here, the courses are amazing. In a little spare time, we try to golf as a group of guys."
Crawford also grew up playing baseball and said he still carries some of that skill with him.
"I played baseball growing up," Crawford said. "I got PO'd in high school, and I could throw it OK."
Crawford also took pride in the classroom. He was on the A and B honor roll all four years at Carthage and completed dual-credit courses before arriving at Colorado.
"You're a student first," Crawford said. "You've got to be able to perform in the classroom to perform on the field. Why not be great in the classroom too?"
Crawford is still early in his Colorado journey, but he already knows the identity he wants to build. He wants to bring effort, toughness and consistency to everything he does.
When his time in Boulder is finished, Crawford wants Buffs fans to remember one thing.
"That I gave it all every play," Crawford said. "One hundred percent every play. I don't ever want to be one to slack off a play. It's 110% every play."
Fans can get their first glimpse of Crawford and the Buffs in the home opener against Weber State on Sept. 12 at Folsom Field. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Buff fans have several ticket options available, including season tickets, two-game packages and single-game tickets. For more information, click here.
For a kid from Carthage, Texas, the first impression was hard to miss. The mountains, the snow and the view coming into Boulder gave Crawford a feeling he had not experienced back home.
"It's a wow shock," Crawford said. "A kid from a small town in Texas, you don't get to see a whole lot of the mountains or snow. Pictures don't do it justice. You've got to come see it in person."
But Colorado became more than just a different view. For Crawford, the decision came down to relationships, especially the connection he built with the coaching staff.
"It's really just the coaching staff," Crawford said. "We have a really strong connection. Coach Hart, the linebacker guy that recruited me, me and him have a really close connection. Kind of further than ball, just the connection we have off the field and on the field."
That bond, along with his official visit, helped make Boulder feel like home.
"My official visit was kind of the big thing for me," Crawford said. "I wasn't really going to come, to be honest with you, but I ended up coming and loved it. My family loved it. My mom and dad came with me, and they enjoyed every bit of it. It was a different scene from Texas."
Now, Crawford is beginning his first chapter with the Buffaloes after arriving as an early enrollee. For him, that decision was about giving himself the best chance to compete.
"I like to play, and this was just a step to be able to step on the field earlier," Crawford said. "That was the biggest thing for me, just being able to get on the field. Getting in the playbook earlier, getting used to the workouts. You're not coming in in June and trying to get six months of work in two or three months."
Crawford came to Colorado after a decorated career at Carthage High School, one of the top programs in Texas. He played four seasons of varsity football under head coach Scott Surratt, earned all-state honors three times and helped Carthage win three state championships during a 57-2 run.
More than the wins, Crawford said Carthage gave him a foundation that has helped his transition to college football. The Bulldogs' system required film study, playbook work and detailed walkthroughs, habits that made Colorado feel less overwhelming.
"It helped me a lot," Crawford said. "We were in a complex system at the high school I was at. We won state three of my four years, so we were a really good program. That's all props to those coaches. Carthage prepared me, showed you how to study, showed you how to get in the playbook, do walkthroughs the right way."
The standard at Carthage also taught Crawford how to work. He said players began learning the system in seventh grade, and each year brought more responsibility. That environment taught him how to prepare before the lights came on.
"Everybody was down to get work in, regardless if it was in season or out of season," Crawford said. "The extra work, I feel like that was the biggest thing."
That work showed up in his production. As a junior, Crawford helped lead Carthage to a 15-1 record and a state championship, finishing with 91 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception and two defensive touchdowns.
In the state championship game against Waco La Vega, Crawford showed the full range of his ability. He played seven different positions in Carthage's 28-14 win, finishing with nine tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a touchdown reception.
To Crawford, that performance showed one of the biggest strengths of his game.
"Versatile," Crawford said. "I feel like that's a big thing, just being able to put me in spots to make plays."
That versatility continued into his senior season. Through early December, Crawford had totaled 97 tackles, 23 quarterback hurries, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also contributed on offense with 15 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns, along with a 21-yard passing touchdown.
Crawford said the game slowed down for him during his final two seasons at Carthage. With confidence, experience and strong defensive lines in front of him, he was able to play the way he wanted.
"Just getting comfortable," Crawford said. "Being able to play the style I play, being able to play fast and violent. That's the biggest thing."
At Colorado, Crawford is now bringing that same mindset into a new locker room. He has already noticed the energy around the program, from the players to the community.
"The energy that's surrounding this place, the guys in it, a lot of buying in from all the guys," Crawford said. "Everybody's just buying in, coming together off the field as well. Just the community support is crazy out here."
Away from football, Crawford describes himself much differently than the player who lines up on defense. On the field, he wants to be physical, fast and relentless. Off the field, he wants to be known for how he treats people.
"I like to be kind and outgoing," Crawford said. "I don't want anybody off the street to say I was rude to them or anything like that. I always try to be kind, even when nobody's watching."
That approach also shows up in his community work through his church. Crawford said giving back is important because he understands the opportunity he has been given.
"If you're blessed enough to come to a place like this, help those that aren't as blessed as you," Crawford said. "That's a big thing for me, just being able to touch somebody spiritually. Just sharing the word."
Crawford has also found a way to enjoy Colorado through one of his favorite hobbies: golf. He said he has taken advantage of the courses around Boulder and enjoys getting out with teammates when he has free time.
"I think golf is a big thing," Crawford said. "Out here, the courses are amazing. In a little spare time, we try to golf as a group of guys."
Crawford also grew up playing baseball and said he still carries some of that skill with him.
"I played baseball growing up," Crawford said. "I got PO'd in high school, and I could throw it OK."
Crawford also took pride in the classroom. He was on the A and B honor roll all four years at Carthage and completed dual-credit courses before arriving at Colorado.
"You're a student first," Crawford said. "You've got to be able to perform in the classroom to perform on the field. Why not be great in the classroom too?"
Crawford is still early in his Colorado journey, but he already knows the identity he wants to build. He wants to bring effort, toughness and consistency to everything he does.
When his time in Boulder is finished, Crawford wants Buffs fans to remember one thing.
"That I gave it all every play," Crawford said. "One hundred percent every play. I don't ever want to be one to slack off a play. It's 110% every play."
Fans can get their first glimpse of Crawford and the Buffs in the home opener against Weber State on Sept. 12 at Folsom Field. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Buff fans have several ticket options available, including season tickets, two-game packages and single-game tickets. For more information, click here.
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