Indianapolis Colts security Nick Cross in motion, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP Photograph/Darron Cummings)
Security Nick Cross was the youngest player in the 2022 NFL Draft class, however that didn’t cease the Indianapolis Colts from taking him within the third spherical. It didn’t cease him from instantly incomes a beginning spot both.
Cross made his NFL debut in Week 1 in opposition to the Houston Texans, sooner or later after turning 21. He began once more the subsequent week, however was solely used sparingly after that. The previous Maryland Terrapin didn’t get an opportunity to play constantly on protection once more till the ultimate 5 video games of final season.
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He was reinserted into the beginning lineup this season and has repaid the Colts’ teaching employees for giving him one other likelihood. By three weeks, he’s the NFL’s leading tackler with 39, which ties his profession excessive set final season. Cross has recorded double-digit tackles in all three video games for the 1-2 Colts, together with 10 within the crew’s win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. He additionally broke up a move that was then intercepted by teammate Jaylon Jones.
“Take a look at the athleticism of Jaylon Jones.” – @JasonMcCourty pic.twitter.com/ZdF0uma2tE
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 22, 2024
Each Cross and the Colts have acknowledged that he was most likely not fairly able to play such a giant function as a rookie.
“It may undoubtedly be a problem, going away from residence at 20 years outdated, coming right here and being thrust right into a room filled with grown males,” Cross told the Indy Star about his 2022 season. “Despite the fact that it’s a dream you’ve had for a very long time, you don’t know all of the ins and outs, the day-in and day-out. It’s a must to hold your head on straight and be sure you observe a robust routine and observe a few the vets within the locker room.”
One of many issues Cross relied on as he waited for an additional alternative was his religion in God. Every day, he put the same line at the top of his meeting notes: “Management what you possibly can management and let God deal with the remaining.”
“It may undoubtedly get exhausting at instances. You simply must belief God,” he told the Indy Star. “Everybody has a path. Typically, He’s making ready you for one thing you don’t find out about. … God blessed me with plenty of athletic potential. I simply must go on the market and use it.”
Cross describes himself as a “Follower of Christ” in his bio on X and has included Bible verses in posts on Instagram.
In his introductory press convention after getting drafted, Cross thanked God for the athleticism that was on full show in his efficiency on the draft mix, which featured a 4.34-second 40-yard sprint time, a 37-inch vertical and a 130-inch broad bounce.
“I all the time knew I had nice athletic potential. God blessed me with athletic potential and I used to be simply completely happy to have the ability to use it on the finish of the day,” he said. “The Mix put myself additional on the map. My play put me up there. However to have the ability to put me up there on the next echelon was an amazing factor.”
When Cross was formally introduced as a beginning security the week earlier than this 12 months’s season opener, he gave glory to God once more.
“It’s thrilling,” he said. “I thank God for giving me the well being, power and talent to go on the market and do it.”
Up subsequent for Indianapolis is a house matchup with the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. A win may transfer the Colts right into a tie for first place within the AFC South.
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