Crawley prepares to lead GSU

GRAMBLING — Pressure doesn’t scare Myles Crawley. It’s what drives him.

Entering year two as the starting quarterback at Grambling State, tabbed as the 2024 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Crawley knows the spotlight is shining on his every move now. He’s seen as not just the leader of the G-Men but one of the top talents in the SWAC. And with good reason.

He burst onto the scene with 2,303 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions at a 60.1% completion clip in 2023, finishing with the most passing yards in a season at GSU since Devante Kincade had 2,905 yards in 2017.

His arrival came at the perfect moment given where GSU’s quarterback room stood in 2022 with a combined 1,637 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions at a 43.6% completion percentage.

Now a redshirt senior, Crawley hopes to raise his level of play this season and help bring the Tigers back to the top of the league like they used to know regularly. He’s not backing away from those expectations.

“The pressure is never really too much pressure. I always got a high standard for myself,” Crawley said. “ I just gotta show these guys, we got a lot of new guys coming in, just show them the Grambling standard. We’ve been coming together. I like where we’re at right now. We got great team camaraderie. I think it’s going to be big this year. “I feel like we’ve been doing pretty good. We’re just trying to get better each and every day. Like coach (Mickey Joseph) always says, ‘ We’re pleased but never satisfied.’ We just keep stacking days and preparing for week one.”

Joseph’s call to “restore the order” when it comes to GSU’s standing in the SWAC has been consistent since he arrived in December 2023. As a former GSU coach with years of experience in the SWAC and Louisiana, Joseph believes he can bring the Tigers’ roar back.

And it’s clear the G-Men need to find their stripes again.

GSU’s 5-6 record last year was its third straight losing season – the first time since 19961998 of such a stretch. And since winning the SWAC Championship in 2017, the Tigers have an overall record of 24-31 and a 17-21 mark in SWAC play.

Crawley knows that’s unacceptable. And he wants to do everything he can to make his coach’s mission a reality this year.

“Restoring the order — just bringing back that winning culture to the G. Grambling is really known for winning, always,” Crawley said. “We’re just bringing that winning culture back and we’re going to have a great season this year.”

Grambling State opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 on the road against Louisiana-Lafayette at Cajun Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.