Hall of Fame
Originally from DeSoto, Texas, Crayton graduated from Northwestern in 2004 with his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
A four-time all-conference selection, Crayton was used as a weapon all over the field, playing quarterback and wide receiver on offense. He also returned punts and kickoffs on special teams and still holds several Ranger return records. During Crayton’s time at Northwestern, the Rangers went unbeaten in conference play and advanced to the national title game three times, winning it all in 1999.
Crayton set Northwestern single-season and career touchdown records with 46 total TDs (21 of them as a senior) and scored them in a variety of ways. Crayton became the first and only player in NAIA history to score a touchdown as a passer, rusher, receiver, punt returner and kickoff returner in a single season. He ended his career second on the all-time NAIA list with 10 punt returns for TD and amassed more than 5,600 yards. He was named Honorable Mention NAIA All-American in 2000 and 2002 and First Team NAIA All-American in 2001 and 2003. He lists his favorite Northwestern moment as the last-second field goal that sent the Rangers past Sioux Falls in the 2003 NAIA semifinals.
Crayton was drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He was a wide receiver and return specialist for the Cowboys from 2004 to 2009 before being traded to San Diego prior to the 2010 season. He finished his career with the Chargers in 2011.
Crayton enjoyed a productive NFL career as a receiver and was remarkably consistent. He topped 500 receiving yards in five straight seasons between 2006 and 2010 and averaged a strong 14.8 yards per catch. He finished with 3,650 career receiving yards and 25 TD catches. He also returned two punts for touchdown.
In 2008, Crayton was honored by the Northwestern Alumni Association with the Outstanding Graduate Recognition Award. He and his wife, Najiyyah, live in Lewisville, Texas, with their children Patrick Jr., Kennedy and Preston.
