Nick Cross (American football)

Nicolas "Nick" Cross (born September 10, 2001) is an American football safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland.

Nick Cross
refer to caption
Cross (left) with Maryland in 2021
No. 20 – Indianapolis Colts
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (2001-09-10) September 10, 2001
Bowie, Maryland, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:DeMatha Catholic
(Hyattsville, Maryland)
College:Maryland (2019–2021)
NFL Draft:2022 / Round: 3 / Pick: 96
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:17
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Cross was born on September 10, 2001, the son of Michael and Anna Cross. His father, Michael, is from Jamaica and his mother is from Trinidad and Tobago. He attended the St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland for his early education.

High school career

Cross attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland.[1] He played in the 2019 Army All-American Bowl. Cross was rated as four star recruit. He originally committed to Florida State University to play college football but switched to the University of Maryland, College Park. Cross also ran track while at DeMatha Catholic. He competed in the 60M, 100M, 200M, 4x100M relay, and 4x200M relay. He holds a personal best of 6.68s in the 60M. [2][3]

College career

Cross played at Maryland from 2019 to 2021.[4][5] During his career he started 21 of 29 games and recorded 134 tackles, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and four sacks. After the 2021 season, he decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.[6]

College statistics
Maryland Terrapins
Season Team GP Tackles Interceptions
CmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgTDPD
2019Maryland 11453015020005
2020Maryland 4231491.000003
2021Maryland 126644223.035518.302
Career2713488464.055511.0010

Professional career

Cross, along with former teammate Chigoziem Okonkwo, participated in the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Cross had the fastest 40 yard dash, among safeties, with a time of 4.34 seconds (Other stats provided by combine below). Although he began the year as a starter, Cross was quickly demoted, and instead was used as a core special teams player.[7] Cross enjoyed success in that role, leading the Colts' special teams in tackles and earning a stellar rating from Pro Football Focus.[7]


Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 0+1⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		 212 lb
(96 kg)		 31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		4.34 s1.46 s2.51 s4.21 s6.85 s37.0 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 10 in
(3.30 m)		21 reps
Sources:[8][9]

Cross was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round, 96th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft.[10]

References
  1. McManes, Chris. "From football dreamer to All-American, Nick Cross leads DeMatha – Streetcar Suburbs News". Streetcar Suburbs News. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  2. Pell, Samantha (February 12, 2019). "Maryland football signs Nick Cross, flipping DeMatha defensive back from Florida State". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  3. Hopmayer, Rachel (February 12, 2019). "Maryland Terrapins nab DeMatha safety Nick Cross from Florida State". RSN. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  4. McFadden, Ryan (October 7, 2021). "Maryland safety Nick Cross learned football by watching YouTube. Now he's thinking about the NFL". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  5. Paras, Matthew (March 7, 2022). "Nick Cross once cried after Washington losses. Now, he's impressing the NFL". The Washington Times. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  6. "Maryland safeties Nick Cross, Jordan Mosley declare for 2022 NFL draft". Yahoo! Sports. January 5, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2023 – via Baltimore Sun.
  7. Stankevitz, JJ (January 20, 2023). "2022 Rookie Review: Nick Cross Goes from Starter on Defense to Core Special Teamer for Bubba Ventrone". Colts. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  8. "Nick Cross Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  9. "2022 Draft Scout Nick Cross, Maryland NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  10. Stankevitz, JJ (April 29, 2022). "NFL Draft 2022: Colts Trade Back Into Third Round, Select Maryland Safety Nick Cross 96th Overall". Colts.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

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