COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 27: Offensive Lineman Nate Crawford #55 of the Missouri Tigers hoists the Mayor's Cup after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 27, 2014 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Missouri won 21-20. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages)
Nate Crawford came to Missouri to be the next great Tiger defensive lineman. Standing a massive 6-foot-5, 300-lbs, offensive line coach Josh Henson saw a future star on the offensive line when he saw Crawford. After some initial hesitation, Crawford made the switch to the offensive side of the ball.
A year after making the switch, Crawford appears to be a lock for the starting right tackle spot.
"That guy has really stepped up his game for the team," Henson said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's kind of amazing how much he's improved from spring ball. Moving from defensive line to offensive line, I couldn't be prouder of the guy.
"He's played with an attitude," Henson added. "He's played with a chip on his shoulder. He's just such a great person. He wants to be good. He's got a great desire for playing the game."
If Crawford can continue to progress and man the right tackle spot into the season opener, the coaching staff will have four of the five spots up front secured. The success isn't going to Crawford's head though, he knows he's still very much a work in progress for the Tigers.
"I'm still trying to figure it out," he said. "I'm not there yet, not at all."
(h/t St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
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