France’s Saint Ouen l’Aumône Cougars sign DE Brandon Crawford from University of Buffalo

The Saint Ouen l’Aumône Cougars from France’s top division are looking to rebound from a disappointing season in 2017 and have signed another new player, defensive end Brandon Crawford, for the 2018 season.

The 6’2″, 285 lb native of Madison, Florida played for the University of Buffalo Bulls where he started 30 of 42 games in his four years. He recorded 114 tackles, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, four recovered fumbles.

At his Pro Day he recorded a 4.87 40 yard dash time and benched 225 lbs 27 times. Cougars head coach Xavier Mas will be looking to use Crawford both as an edge rusher and interior lineman with his power and strength.

His high school, Madison County High School made it to the Florida state championship game and was ranked 12th in the football-rich state. After making the All-State Second Team as a junior, he exploded for 91 tackles (15 for loss) and 13 sacks in his senior season to make the All-State First Team. He was also named to MaxPreps’ 2012 Small Schools All-American Second Team. To cap off his high school career, he earned MVP of the prestigious Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game. 

The Cougars, 2015 and 2016 French champions, finished with a 5-5 record in 2017 with the loss of their starting quarterback late in the season as well as a number of starters from 2016.

Crawford is excited about the opportunity to play in France:

“I am truly excited and thankful for the opportunity to be playing in France. I always believed that football would take me places I have never been before but the opportunity that I have now is one in a lifetime. I am able to continue to play the game that I love while also being able to expand my horizon by learning a new culture and seeing more of the world.”