Nicolas Cross Bio
Nicolas Cross is an American professional football safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins. Selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Cross has quickly established himself as a key player on the Colts’ defense.
Early Life and Background
Nicolas Cross was born on September 10, 2001, in Bowie, Maryland, United States. He is the son of Michael and Anna Cross. His father, Michael, hails from Jamaica, while his mother is from Trinidad and Tobago. For his early education, Cross attended St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland. He later attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, where he excelled in both football and track. Cross played in the 2019 Army All-American Bowl and was rated as a four-star recruit. Initially, he committed to Florida State University to play college football but ultimately chose to attend the University of Maryland, College Park. At DeMatha Catholic, he also competed in various track events, achieving a personal best of 6.68 seconds in the 60-meter dash.
Path to American Football
Nicolas Cross’s football journey began at DeMatha Catholic High School, where he showcased his skills as a safety. His performance earned him recognition, leading to his participation in the prestigious Army All-American Bowl. After high school, he played college football at the University of Maryland from 2019 to 2021. During his college career, Cross started 21 of 29 games, amassing 134 tackles, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and four sacks. His consistent performance earned him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in each of his three seasons. Following the 2021 season, he decided to forgo his senior year and declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Nicolas Cross Career
Early Career (2022)
Nicolas Cross entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. The Colts selected him with the 96th overall pick, a choice made possible by a trade with the Denver Broncos. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $5.06 million, which included a signing bonus of $864,100. During training camp, Cross competed for the starting strong safety position, which became available after the retirement of Khari Willis. He was named the starting strong safety at the beginning of the season, pairing with free safety Julian Blackmon. In his debut game on September 11, 2022, Cross made four solo tackles in a tie against the Houston Texans. Throughout his rookie season, he faced challenges, including being benched for a period, but he finished the season with 17 combined tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Breakthrough (2023)
In 2023, Nicolas Cross continued to develop as a player. He entered training camp competing for a starting safety position against Rodney Thomas II. Although he began the season as a backup, he made significant contributions throughout the year. On December 16, 2023, Cross recorded his first career interception during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also earned his first start of the season in Week 17 after an injury to Julian Blackmon, finishing the season with 39 combined tackles and one interception. His performance earned him an overall grade of 71.8 from Pro Football Focus.
Breakthrough (2024)
In 2024, Nicolas Cross solidified his role as a starting safety for the Colts. He entered training camp competing for the starting position but was named the starting strong safety alongside Julian Blackmon. Cross had a standout season, recording a career-high 146 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one sack. He achieved a career-high of 15 combined tackles in a single game and started all 17 games for the first time in his career. His performance earned him an overall grade of 70.3 from Pro Football Focus, ranking him among the top safeties in the league.
Notable Works and Milestones
Nicolas Cross’s signature work includes his impressive performances during the 2024 NFL season, where he achieved career highs in tackles and interceptions. His contributions to the Indianapolis Colts’ defense have established him as a key player moving forward.
Nicolas Cross Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nicolas Cross has not yet received any formal award nominations.
Nicolas Cross Awards Won
Nicolas Cross has not won any awards as of now, but his promising career suggests potential future accolades.
Nicolas Cross Family
Nicolas Cross is the son of Michael and Anna Cross. There are no publicly available details regarding his siblings or extended family.
Personal Life
Nicolas Cross maintains a low profile regarding his personal life. There are no public details available about his relationships or marital status.
