Michigan State football adds All-MAC Buffalo transfer linebacker Dion Crawford to defense
Crawford has played in 35 career games and was a 2024 third-team All-MAC selection. He will have one year of eligibility remaining with the Spartans.
Michigan State football continues to build its defense with the addition of Buffalo University transfer linebacker Dion Crawford. He just completed his junior season in 2025 and will have one year of eligibility remaining with the Spartans (plus a redshirt option if needed) under head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
A 2023 high school graduate from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, Crawford was a two-time first-team All-State linebacker selection in the Peach State. With more than 10 offers from FBS schools, he signed with Buffalo after his senior season in 2022.
Crawford received additional offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, University of Central Florida, Virginia, Wake Forest and West Virginia out of high school.
After enrolling in 2023, Crawford made a direct impact with the Buffalo football program. As a true freshman, he appeared in 11 games and made two starts that season for the Bulls. He finished the year with 31 total tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup in his first year of collegiate action.
In 2024, his development earned him 12 starts, and an appeared in all 13 games for the Bulls that season. He registered 59 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He was named to the All-MAC third team as a sophomore and also earned honors as an academic All-MAC athlete.
In his final year with the Buffalo program, Crawford appeared in 11 games, making seven starts, in 2025. He ranked second on the team in tackles, with 81 total tackles. Crawford also recorded five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He tallied a season-high 14 tackles at Minnesota this past season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Crawford played 644 defensive snaps and received an overall defensive grade of 65.5. He also recorded a rush defense grade of 78.5, a pass rush grade of 77.6 and tackling grade of 75.6, per PFF.
Total Career Stats and Honors:
35 games played
171 total tackles
21 tackles for loss
13 sacks
Three pass breakups
Two forced fumbles
2024 All-MAC third team
2024 Academic All-MAC team
Looking to develop further under MSU co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Max Bullough and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, Crawford's experience brings solid competition to the table for a starting position with MSU in 2026.
With Crawford's commitment, the Spartans now have 24 public transfer portal commitments. Keep up with all of MSU's transfer portal movement here.