Making the most of a second chance: Isaiah Crowell

Dismissed from Georgia to go to Alabama State. Isaiah Crowell went undrafted, but signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns.

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The Past:

Once a top-tier prospect back in 2010. Isaiah Crowell signed with the Bulldogs, and saw the field almost immediately. Earning his first start against Coastal Carolina. Crowell had so much promise for Dawg Nation, rushing for 850 yards on 185 carries in his true freshman season. He was also named Freshman of the Year according to The Associated Press.

However that was the highlight of his UGA career after a 2012 arrest. Before the season started, Crowell was arrested on possession of a firearm within a school zone, possession of a firearm with an altered identification, and carrying a concealed firearm. With so many charges filed, Georgia had no choice but to dismiss him from the program. He would finish off his college career at Alabama State before being an undrafted free agent pickup by the Cleveland Browns.

The Present:

Isaiah Crowell is in the midst of contract talk with the Cleveland Browns. They have placed a second round tender him as a restricted free agent. This means that any team wanting his services would give up a second round pick as well as paying him. That’s particularly unlikely for a running back in today’s NFL.

In fairness, it’s a good sign for Crowell that they have decided to use this tender to keep him around. 2017 will be his 4th year in the NFL and he has been a productive back so far for the Browns. If he can continue to play the way he has the past few season, he should at least be able to carve out a decent NFL career. That’s all the more impressive when you consider the way he left the Georgia program.

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I imagine that Crowell will be given a long-term deal from the Browns. That shouldn’t take to very long to get put into the works and he should be a focal part of the Browns offense going forward.