Crump to return to ASU if granted medical hardship waiver

The Sun Devils are currently in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and whoever assumes the role could potentially inherit one of the Pac-12’s most feared pass rushers.

Senior linebacker Koron Crump told SunDevilSource on Wednesday that he has applied with the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver that would grant him another year of eligibility. If approved, Crump said he will return to Arizona State in 2018.

Crump, who entered the season as the conference’s returning sack leader (registered 9.0 sacks in 2016), appeared in three games before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the second quarter of ASU’s contest at Texas Tech. The junior college transfer from Fort Scott Community College (Kansas) had tallied four sacks and 11 total tackles prior to suffering his season-ending injury.

“I’m in the process, but haven’t gotten approved yet,” Crump said of his petition. “They said it’s most likely [it’s granted], but I’m not trying to get my hopes up. I’m still approaching my knee injury the same if I don’t get the year.”

Hardship waivers are typically awarded when players are seriously injured early in the season and do not play again. Crump played in two full games before being injured in the team’s third game. It’s also notable that Crump suffered a broken hand while at Fort Scott that caused him to miss time, however, it’s unclear whether that will impact the NCAA’s decision.

As far as his knee is concerned, Crump said he’s been feeling positive about his progress. He recently started running and performing change-of-direction drills underwater, and was told that after Christmas he could beginning jogging on land.

“Nothing too much,” said the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Crump of his current regimen. “I don’t want to rush it, even though I really want to, but you just can’t rush stuff like this.”

Crump is one of 17 ASU football players who graduated earlier this week. He said that should he be approved to play football for another season in Tempe that he plans pursue a Master’s in Liberal Studies.

Crump, who’s listed by NFLDraftScout.com as the No. 30 outside linebacker prospect in the 2018 class, said moving on to the next level is something that’s crossed his mind a couple of times, although he reiterated that his primary focus remains on getting healthy. He did not confirm whether he’s submitted his name to the NFL advisory committee to get an idea of what round he would be selected in the upcoming draft.

“Either way,” he said. “Draft, staying here, I’ve still got to get healthy first. That’s the main part first: getting healthy.”

This story appears on ArizonaSports.com courtesy of a partnership with SunDevilSource.com, part of the Scout Network and home for the most detailed information on Arizona State football.