Kitan Crawford, former John Tyler High School (JTHS) football star, was selected in the seventh round (pick 225) of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Crawford, a standout defensive back first at The University of Texas (UT), and then at the University of Nevada, hopes to be the 25th player in school history to play in an NFL game. Crawford won several individual and team accolades during his time as a Lion from 2016 to 2020.
Crawford played five seasons at the collegiate level, with his breakout campaign coming in 2024 in his lone season for the Nevada Wolfpack. Crawford played in all 13 games, registering career-highs in tackles (76), tackles for loss (3), interceptions (2), passes defended (1), fumble recoveries (1), forced fumbles (1), and defensive touchdowns (1). He garnered All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors for his performance during the season. An impressive athlete, Crawford ran a blazing 4.41-second 40-yard dash, as well as vertical-jumping 41.5” at the 2025 NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Heading into the draft, he was ranked the #22 safety in the class (PFF).
Crawford began his collegiate career in his home state of Texas, donning the Burnt Orange of the Texas Longhorns for four seasons, playing in 46 career games. Crawford was an excellent player both on defense and special teams at UT, being named Honorable Mention Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023. He was also an outstanding student, earning Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times, and Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2021. Crawford recorded 61 tackles, four passes defended, and two blocked kicks over his career at Texas, while making his first career interception in the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game vs. Oklahoma State.
During his time at JTHS, Crawford was a National High School All-American, a 2020 Under Armour All-American game selectee, and ranked as the #102 player in the Class of 2020 (ESPN). Crawford, a two-time, first team all-district choice on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, helped the Lions reach the 5A Division I Quarterfinals in 2018. He registered over 1,300 offensive total yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior in 2019, while making 33 tackles, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery, earning first-team all-district honors at both running back and cornerback.
Crawford hopes to join a long list of former Lions who have played in the National Football League. Twenty-four players to don the blue and white have played in an NFL regular season game, including Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell. The last Lion drafted to the NFL was Tyus Bowser in 2013 by the Baltimore Ravens.
For more information, contact Reese Lannon at Reese.Lannon@TylerISD.org.