Jay Johnson says Dylan Crews was a big reason he accepted LSU job

LSU star Dylan Crews and head coach Jay Johnson have a special partnership. However, the 46-year-old coach recently revealed a new detail about his admiration for Crews.

“Dylan is the best player in college baseball history, in my opinion,” Johnson said on Monday evening. “Frankly, it was a big reason that I accepted the job. I probably would have looked at LSU anyways, but knowing that I was going to have a once-in-a-lifetime player on my team for two years was a big deal to do that.”

Dylan Crews is a star

Monday night was one LSU fans will never forget. The Tigers defeated Florida 18-4 in the series-deciding Game 3 of the College World Series finals to bring home a national title; LSU’s first since 2009.

In the blowout victory, Crews was fantastic. The junior outfielder recorded four hits and one RBI in six at-bats. The standout performance was just one of many Johnson has watched in his two years as head coach of the Tigers.

In his collegiate career, Crews batted .380 while recording 184 RBI. For his countless spectacular performances, Crews was named the SEC Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023. Additonally, Crews was selected as the 2023 Golden Spikes Award Winner.

Johnson couldn’t be prouder of Crews and his fellow Tigers.

“I don’t know where to start. I’ll do the best I can with this. The national championship team, I think the most gratifying part of it is they were national championship people every single day of this thing,” Johnson said. “What a championship performance, heartbeat of our team. And I’m so proud of them.”

More than a baseball player

Johnson is proud of Crews for more than baseball talent. Crews is known for his community service around Louisiana. Every game, Crews donates tickets down the right field line to a family who has a disabled child. Additionally, Crews is involved with Team of Dreams in Gonzales, La.

On or off the field, Crews will never fail to impress Johnson.

“This guy can do whatever he wants. I mean, literally,” Johnson said in May. “He chooses to do things like that. Think of others first, people who aren’t as fortunate as him. That’s what I’m talking about. You have Mike Trout of college baseball that is like the greatest human being on the planet.”