Eastern Michigan Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Maxx Crosby
7/9/2020 10:00:00 AM | Football
Story written by freelance writer Art Brooks
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (EMUEagles.com) -- He's gone from Ypsilanti to gritty Oakland and now to glittery Las Vegas.
That's been the journey for former end Maxx Crosby, a starter for the transplanted Oakland Raiders.
Consider what's transpired since In late February 2019, he turned heads at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis with his athleticism. Then came ...
Being drafted in the fourth round by Oakland as a situational pass rusher ... suffering a broken left hand in an exhibition game ... making his debut on a Monday nighter against Denver and being in on three tackles ... playing his way into a starting role ...
Getting the first of his 10 sacks, including four against Cincinnati and a flamboyant one of Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, where he did Rodgers' State Farm discount double check move ... and finishing second to San Francisco end Nick Bosa for NFL defensive rookie of the year.
Crosby's stats in 16 games, including 10 starts: four forced fumbles, four passes defensed, 47 total tackles of which 36 were unassisted, 16 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits.Bosa's numbers: 16 games, one forced fumble, 42 tackles of which 27 were unassisted, nine sacks, two passes defensed and one interception.
Bosa got 43 votes to four for Crosby in the defensive rookie voting by a nationwide media panel for the Associated Press.
On Oct. 25, the Raiders will play host to quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and Tampa Bay, with former Eagles defensive lineman/teammate Pat O'Connor. Las Vegas also has two meetings with Kansas City and left guard Andrew Wylie, a teammate at EMU.
And that unusual first name?
Crosby, a dog lover who has his own trading card, said in a tweet ... "Almost 12 Pounds At Birth ... So My Mom Decided To Throw Another X On."
Creighton's stance
Coach Chris Creighton said of Crosby: "Guys love him, great teammate. Has always believed he could be great. Went against Wylie a bunch his true freshman year and won Scout Team Player of the Year. He is so long and bends/uses his hands so well. He is so incredibly difficult to block. Relentless in his pursuit of the ball, and his ball disruption is second-to-none. He loves football and is ultra-competitive."
Art Brooks is a retired Detroit News sports copy editor and longtime volunteer at EMU's student newspaper, the Eastern Echo.
That's been the journey for former end Maxx Crosby, a starter for the transplanted Oakland Raiders.
Consider what's transpired since In late February 2019, he turned heads at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis with his athleticism. Then came ...
Being drafted in the fourth round by Oakland as a situational pass rusher ... suffering a broken left hand in an exhibition game ... making his debut on a Monday nighter against Denver and being in on three tackles ... playing his way into a starting role ...
Getting the first of his 10 sacks, including four against Cincinnati and a flamboyant one of Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, where he did Rodgers' State Farm discount double check move ... and finishing second to San Francisco end Nick Bosa for NFL defensive rookie of the year.
Crosby's stats in 16 games, including 10 starts: four forced fumbles, four passes defensed, 47 total tackles of which 36 were unassisted, 16 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits.Bosa's numbers: 16 games, one forced fumble, 42 tackles of which 27 were unassisted, nine sacks, two passes defensed and one interception.
Bosa got 43 votes to four for Crosby in the defensive rookie voting by a nationwide media panel for the Associated Press.
On Oct. 25, the Raiders will play host to quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and Tampa Bay, with former Eagles defensive lineman/teammate Pat O'Connor. Las Vegas also has two meetings with Kansas City and left guard Andrew Wylie, a teammate at EMU.
And that unusual first name?
Crosby, a dog lover who has his own trading card, said in a tweet ... "Almost 12 Pounds At Birth ... So My Mom Decided To Throw Another X On."
Creighton's stance
Coach Chris Creighton said of Crosby: "Guys love him, great teammate. Has always believed he could be great. Went against Wylie a bunch his true freshman year and won Scout Team Player of the Year. He is so long and bends/uses his hands so well. He is so incredibly difficult to block. Relentless in his pursuit of the ball, and his ball disruption is second-to-none. He loves football and is ultra-competitive."
Art Brooks is a retired Detroit News sports copy editor and longtime volunteer at EMU's student newspaper, the Eastern Echo.
Players Mentioned
Motor City MACtion: Eastern Michigan-Central Michigan Football to Play at Ford Field
Wednesday, January 21
He's Back! Kim Granted Extra Year of Eligibility, Set to Return for 2026 Season
Wednesday, January 07
National Signing Day - Behind the Scenes
Wednesday, December 03
2026 EMU Football Early Signing Day Show
Wednesday, December 03