Las Vegas Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby has emerged as a household name across the NFL. Most certainly for fans of the Silver and Black. But a footnote that has accompanied the edge rusher in his ascension to Pro Bowl talent is that he was a Group of Five draft find for the Raiders.
Tracing Back to Maxx Crosby’s College Career
Crosby became a fourth-round draft discovery out of Eastern Michigan in 2019. EMU has long been in the shadow of in-state Power Five representatives Michigan and Michigan State. The Eagles, in general, are often overshadowed by the neighboring Big Ten programs.
Nevertheless, Crosby starred in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and worked his way into becoming a draft-worthy prospect.
From 2015 to 2018, he compiled 41 tackles for loss and terrorized quarterbacks with a career 20 sacks. Crosby even snatched an interception in his final season at EMU.
That type of production, combined with his towering 6’5″, 255-pound frame, made him an appealing target for NFL teams seeking a pass-rush jolt.
But how did Crosby end up at EMU?
Crosby Was Overlooked in High School
Turns out Eastern Michigan made a hidden gem discovery before the Raiders did.
Crosby starred at Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas — sandwiched between Fort Worth and Dallas. With universities like TCU, SMU, Baylor, and even Texas nearby, one would think Crosby would land on those radars, right?
MORE: Maxx Crosby Makes $1 Million Donation to Alma Mater
It turns out, no. Per 247 Sports, EMU was the only school that offered Crosby a four-year opportunity.
There’s more. In the era of four- and five-star rankings, Crosby was neither. He wasn’t even a three-star prospect. He was given a two-star rating — good enough for the Group of Five level.
Crosby Proves To Be One of Raiders’ Smartest Draft Moves
The then-Oakland Raiders made Crosby a fourth-round selection at 106th overall.
He became one of the final draft finds for the Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden era as general manager and head coach, respectively. That regime, though, became known for some notable draft blunders.
EDGE Clelin Ferrell and S Johnathan Abram are two names forever linked to that regime. Both were first-rounders who are no longer on the Raiders’ roster. Ferrell even went fourth overall.
In the following draft, WR Henry Ruggs III and CB Damon Arnette were the lead representatives for that class. Both ran into highly publicized off-the-field problems. Then there was OL Alex Leatherwood in 2021.
For a franchise that has been criticized for draft blunders like Ferrell, Arnette, Leatherwood, and the others, Crosby has become one of their top late gems found.
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