Nick Cross is a safety that can do it all.
The Maryland defensive back exploded in 2021 with 3 interceptions, 66 tackles and 3 sacks. Though this was far from the first time he’s been on the national radar – he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten in both 2019 and 2020 – this past year was Cross’ best from a production perspective, and he looks to ride that momentum into a successful NFL career.
Draft Wire had the chance to speak exclusively with Cross about his quick development, his preparations towards the NFL draft, his saxophone abilities, and much more.
JI: Over the last year and a half, you’ve gone from getting benched to being a legit NFL draft prospect. What went into your breakout year in 2021?
NC: It was just a lot of hard work [and] dedication. I dedicated the offseason, me and one of my coaches [cornerbacks coach Henry] Baker, we sat down offseason and he’s kinda like, “We think you can take that next step, understand the game more.” So we sat down, we watched film, we watched different coverages, how different presentations of defense affected offensive play-callers, and basically tried to understand the chess match within the game.
It took a lot of time, [but] he was really patient. We learned different concepts, different schemes and everything like that. Once I started to get it, the rest went pretty smoothly. I continue to hone in on my craft, working on little things: my footwork, my hips, everything. I just continue to watch film and get stronger, faster, more explosive, and just being a better leader, good teammate for my teammates, and a great communicator on the field.
JI: You didn’t start playing football until high school, but quickly became a top prospect out of high school. How did you develop so quickly, and who did you rely on early on when you were learning the game?
NC: Part of was just God blessed me with some amazing athleticism, size, strength, speed. Then, I had some great coaches when I was at DeMatha [Catholic High School], coach Elijah Brooks, who’s at Maryland right now. He’s the first person I met when I was out there. Deno Campbell, my defensive coordinator, [coach] Josh Wilson was my defensive back [coach]. They definitely took the time to want to do the game, explain different things. I was really clueless when I was out [there], I didn’t know what I was doing or how to think. They took the time to walk me through and teach me different techniques, teach me different coverages and all that stuff. It definitely helped come game time to know that they trusted me and know they believe in me to go out there and have fun and play the game. That’s what I’m supposed to do.
JI: One thing I notice when I watch your tape is just how much range you have in coverage. What goes into being able to cover that much space efficiently on the back end?
NC: Of course, you got to get the call from the defense first, see what defense we’re playing, you got to see the formation, what the formation brings, whether there’s two by two, three by one, whether I’m looking at a pro set with the tight end and a receiver, or if I’m looking at a slot formation with two receivers. Depending on a week we’ll determine what the game plan is and what teams like to run on those certain sets, and then we’ll go from there and then [see] what the quarterback’s looking at where he’s IDing, what side of the field he’s looking to. From there, it’s just reading the quarterback reading his eyes, reading his shoulders and [peripheral vision] the routes that are in the area, to be able to get your perfect angle and get your break so that you can go back to the ball.
JI: Which safeties have you grown up idolizing?
NC: I was a huge Ed Reed fan. He could play middle of the field, sideline to sideline. Big Sean Taylor fan, Bob Sanders, Brian Dawkins. Those were my favorite safeties growing up. Even now, Jamal Adams, Jessie Bates, Justin Simmons are ones that I look up to, and Grant Delpit. People that have a similar play style, who have great range and know basically able to do it all across the field. Even my former college friend Darnell Savage, and I watch his tape as well, just to see, you know, take bits and pieces of their game and try to apply to mine.
JI: That’s a pretty well-rounded group of safeties. That translates pretty well to what you bring to the field, right?
NC: Yeah, I’d say I’m pretty well-rounded. I have the speed and athleticism, the ball skills to go play on the back end and physical enough to come down to box and play in the box and support the run. I feel like I have all the tools, the capabilities to be able to do or whatever a team asks me to do. Whether that’s playing the middle of the field, playing on the hash, coming out the box, blitz, play man coverage. I think I have it all.
JI: How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?
NC: I’m not a huge goer-outer. I like to spend time just chillin’ to myself, whether it be reading a book, watching Netflix or Hulu. I’m an avid sneaker collector. I’ll online search for different sneakers go to the mall, go look for sneakers. I’ve recently found a hobby of collecting cologne, so I’ll go in and see what colognes I want to go buy and just go from there. I’m not a super lively person outside [of football], I kind of just like to stick to myself and just enjoy my alone time. I spend so much time out there working out, focusing on the game and take my time to just dispense myself, reading or watching TV playing games on the phone, my friends, stuff like that. I do like to go out to eat, too. Those are some things I like to do.
JI: Do you have a specific cologne that you’d say is your go-to right now?
NC: Right now, I’d have the Sean John, the Unforgivable one that I got like a week ago. It definitely was one that blended on my skin and the chemicals in my skin really well. I’ll spray it on when I wake up in the morning, before I go to sleep, that way it smells on my clothes. It’s a mixture of being a fresh scent, [and] also a little richer scent, so it’s kind of a mix between both.
JI: I understand you can play the saxophone. How long have you been playing?
NC: I’ve played the saxophone since I was in fourth grade. My parents always wanted me to be well-rounded, so I played when I was young, played through high school, and I haven’t picked up in a while, but I still got the hang of it a little bit. I wanted to play drums when I was younger, but my parents wanted me to play something more, I guess you could say, something more pleasant sounding. Yeah, you know, they definitely gravitated towards that. I enjoy playing it. I’m pretty good at it. I enjoy doing it.
JI: Do you have a go-to song you can play well?
NC: I think I could play anything if you give me a couple minutes to read the notes, and I think that I’d be good.
JI: Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?
NC: You’d be getting a well-rounded person and someone who loves the game. I love to study the game, [I’m a] film junkie: love watching film, love getting better. Someone who wants to be coached and wants come in and make immediate impact in any way possible: special teams, defense, wherever I can. Someone’s gonna work hard, do everything you’re asking to do, do it the right way and get 110 percent of every time. I feel like I’m really versatile in what I can do. I have an have athletic frame and I can do a lot of things. Wherever I can help a team the most, I’ll do what I do to the best of my ability.
