Nick

Cross

On the heels of the surprise Khari Willis retirement, Cross and Rodney McLeod battled to be the starter next to Julian Blackmon. McLeod dealt with injuries in camp, but the drumbeat has been more about how Cross took the job than how McLeod lost it. Indy’s D/ST has some potential volatility between new DC Gus Bradley, a new starter at safety, and questions about Shaq Leonard’s availability in Week 1. But they do face the Texans in a juicy matchup.

Cross (6’0/212) is a three-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honoree who had a banner 2021 with 66 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven PBUs, and a team-leading three interceptions. Though he played 400 snaps at free safety, Cross also recorded 257 reps in the box. An incredible athlete, Cross ran a blistering 4.34 40 with an 85th percentile 6.85 three cone. Despite being built for box enforcer duty, Cross has incredible speed for his size which allows him to play single-high and use his closing burst to make plays over the top. His agility and balance help him to cut down tacklers in space while also being able to lower the boom on would-be pass catchers. His reads can be inconsistent at times and he’s a little tight in his backpedal and turn. Cross has the kind of physical gifts that could land him a starting safety job in the near future.

Cross (6'1/210) impressed at the Combine when he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash, and added to that with strong vertical and broad jumps. Capable of playing both strong and free safety, Cross totaled 63 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions in his final season with the Terps. Not considered a first round pick, Cross is the 90th ranked player on PFF’s 2022 NFL Draft Big Board, and the fifth ranked safety.

Cross’ (6'1/210) speed was already known as he was a track & field star in high school and on the Maryland track team during his freshman year. He also put up other solid numbers with a 37" vertical leap and 10'10" broad jump. The 2021 stats do not jump out of the page as he allowed 21 receptions on 28 targets in 2021, while surrendering 258 yards and four touchdowns. We’ll have to see if his athleticism helps his draft stock in the coming weeks.

Mosley (6'1"/210) and Cross (6'1"/210) were both of Maryland’s starting safeties this year, so the Terrapins will need a totally new pair for 2022. Mosley had a team leading 83 tackles on the year to go along with eight pass break ups. Cross was the second leading tackler with 66, tied for the lead in interceptions with three and also had three sacks.

Cross (6'1/210) started every game at safety for Maryland in 2021, splitting snaps between both free safety and strong safety. This season for the Terps, he appeared on 781 total defensive snaps, totaling 63 tackles, three interceptions and three sacks while also breaking up three passes. Cross also allowed 21 receptions on 28 targets in 2021, while surrendering 258 yards and four touchdowns, but he has shown a knack for forcing turnovers with six career interceptions in three seasons.

In addition to being nearly the best first-year safety last year, Cross also ranked 36th among all 438 qualifying safeties. For Cross (6'1/212) to be a top-50 safety at all is quite the feat, let alone doing so as a true freshman. Cross is primarily a deep safety for the Terrapins, but did well when asked to roll down to the box or cover the slot as well. Expect big things moving forward for the young safety.

Cross (6'1/205) will be checking out Alabama on June 8, with Florida State receiving their visit on June 22. The four-star safety prospect earlier took an official trip to Florida to check out what HC Dan Mullen is cooking up down in Gainesville. LSU, Penn State and Auburn are all in play to land his final two official visits. Another program to watch as a potential player in his recruitment is Maryland, as the Terps have home-field advantage with Cross -- he hails from Hyattsville, Maryland -- and program CB coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim has forged a strong relationship with the young man to this juncture. Cross plans on making his commitment before he begins his final season of high school ball. Rivals ranks him as the No. 18 safety prospect in the 2019 class.

Cross (6'1/205) has visited both the Seminoles and Nittany Lions this offseason, with Florida and Alabama also in the mix (though perhaps more on the periphery). The Hyattsville, Maryland, native is an elite athlete, one who has previously been clocked at a scintillating 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash. On the 247Sports composite board, Cross checks in as the No. 53 overall prospect in the 2019 class. Indications at this point would have him leaning in Florida State’s direction.

Cross was reportedly down to Florida State and Penn State, and the Seminoles appear to have won this head-to-head contest. He’s one of the best athletes at the position, running a 4.43 second 40-yard dash. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety obviously has the speed to help in pass coverage, but the size to impact in the run game. This is a big get for the Seminoles class.