ILB, Maurice Crum, Notre Dame

Pros:  Versatile player who can line up at any of the three linebacker spots. ... Leader on the field, handles the defensive calls. ... Strong build in the upper body and legs.

Cons:  Shorter than scouts prefer at the LB position. ... May be considered an inside-outside linebacker "tweener" by some teams

Styg's Broncos Fit:   Sure and steady, great football intelligence, and hallmark leadership define this rare two-time captain for the Irish.  There is a pedigree here, as Crum's father was an All-American LB for Florida.  He is a solid all-around contributor, he made most of the line calls and defensive adjustments and he has experience at each of the LB spots.  He is also quite tough, playing through a chronic back injury, which will need to get cleared medically before a team takes a risk on him.  He doesn't quite have an ideal fit, being just undersized enough not to be ideal for stuffing the run inside, yet not quite fast enough to be able to hold his own in coverage on the outside.  What coverage ability he does have should be suitable for inside-backing.  Not a physical prospect, and hesitates when taking on blockers, including chip-shot RBs.  Endurance is questionable.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From "OLBs" at AArrowhead Pride:

Crum plays well in coverage, and he's a fiery leader that this defense could always use in the linebacker corps. He's a well rounded player but he may be lacking the speed this defense needs on the weak side. Might be worth a shot in the 4th. Might.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Not many players start for four full seasons at Notre Dame, and only 17 Irish players have been named a team captain twice. Crum was a four-year starter and two-time captain, playing through injuries and occupying multiple positions. His production declined since his sophomore season, as the 65 tackles (5.5 for loss) he accumulated in 2008 was dwarfed by his 100 tackles (10 for loss) as a sophomore. His father, Maurice Crum Sr., was an All-American linebacker at Miami (Fla.) and played in the NFL, CFL and Arena League. … Although Crum Jr. wasn't an All-American for the Irish, teams appreciate his football intelligence, steady play and production.  [see more...]
•  A solid, consistent player, although his stats won't wow the scouts. Neither will his height (6-foot) or, likely, his 40-time in workouts. But it says something good about Crum's work ethic and his leadership that he was a team captain and voted as the team's MVP in 2008. Some NFL team likely will take Crum late in the draft.  [see more...]