Nick Cross Bio
Nicolas Cross is an American professional football safety for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Cross has built a reputation as a hard-hitting defender who excels in run support and pass coverage. After four seasons in Indianapolis, he signed with the Washington Commanders in March 2026.
Early Life and Background
Nicolas Cross was born on September 10, 2001, in Bowie, Maryland. He is the son of Michael Cross and Anna Cross. His father, Michael, is from Jamaica, and his mother is from Trinidad and Tobago, giving Cross a Caribbean family heritage. For his early education, he attended St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he first began developing his athletic interests.
Cross went on to attend DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, one of the most respected football programs in the region. He was rated as a four-star recruit and played in the 2019 Army All-American Bowl, an honor reserved for the country’s top high school football prospects. He originally committed to Florida State University to play college football but later switched his commitment to the University of Maryland, College Park, choosing to stay closer to home. Cross also competed on his school’s track and field team, racing in the 60-meter, 100-meter, 200-meter, 4×100-meter relay, and 4×200-meter relay events, with a personal best of 6.68 seconds in the 60-meter dash.
Path to American Football
Cross enrolled at the University of Maryland in 2019 and immediately began working toward a role in the Terrapins’ defensive backfield. Over three college seasons, he appeared in 29 games and started 21 of them, recording 134 tackles, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and four sacks. His consistent production earned him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition in each of his three seasons with the program.
Following the 2021 season, Cross decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2022 NFL Draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among safeties at 4.34 seconds, alerting scouts to his rare speed. Multiple draft analysts, including NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah, Pro Football Focus’s Michael Renner, ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Hanson, ranked him among the top safety prospects in his class, projecting him as a second- or third-round selection.
Nick Cross Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
The Indianapolis Colts selected Cross in the third round, 96th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the eighth safety taken that year and the youngest player selected in the entire draft at 20 years old. On May 13, 2022, the Colts signed him to a four-year, $5.06 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $864,100. Head coach Frank Reich named Cross the starting strong safety to begin his rookie season, pairing him with free safety Julian Blackmon.
Cross started the season opener at the Houston Texans, recording four solo tackles in a 20–20 tie. A Week 3 benching limited his defensive snaps, and he finished his rookie year with 17 combined tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble across 16 games and two starts. In 2023, he opened the year as a backup but earned a larger role after injuries and finished the season with 39 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception in 17 games and two starts. His first career interception came on December 16, 2023, off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022–2025)
Cross entered the 2024 season competing for a starting role under head coach Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. He won the strong safety job and started all 17 games for the first time in his career. His 2024 campaign included a career-high 146 combined tackles, five pass deflections, three interceptions, and one sack, along with his first career sack on New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 70.3, ranking him 45th among 171 qualifying safeties.
By the end of his time in Indianapolis, Cross had appeared in 50 regular-season games with 21 starts and had established himself as one of the Colts’ most physical defensive backs. His combination of speed, tackling, and ball skills made him a key piece of Indianapolis’s secondary.
Washington Commanders Era (2026–Present)
On March 13, 2026, Cross signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Washington Commanders. The move marked a new chapter for the young safety, who entered Washington with four NFL seasons of starting experience. He is expected to compete for a starting role in the Commanders’ defensive backfield as he joins one of the league’s most talked-about rebuilding teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cross is recognized for his physical tackling in the box, his straight-line speed, and his willingness to play near the line of scrimmage. He is most effective in run defense and as a strong safety who can cover tight ends and slot receivers. His track background gives him elite acceleration, and his experience on special teams has helped him stay on the field in multiple phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cross was the youngest player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. He recorded the fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. In 2024, he set career highs in tackles, interceptions, and starts, and notched his first career sack. His first career interception, off Mitchell Trubisky in December 2023, marked his emergence as a playmaker in the secondary.
Nick Cross Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Cross had accumulated 322 combined tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery across his professional career. At Maryland, he finished with 134 tackles, 6 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 sacks in 29 games.
NFL Highlights
Cross played four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts from 2022 through 2025 before joining the Washington Commanders in 2026. His most productive season came in 2024, when he started all 17 games and set career highs in tackles, interceptions, and sacks. He also recorded interceptions off Trevor Lawrence, Mitchell Trubisky, and Bo Nix during his time with Indianapolis.
College Highlights
Cross earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in each of his three seasons at Maryland from 2019 to 2021. He started 21 of 29 games and totaled 134 tackles, 6 interceptions, 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles as a Terrapin.
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Nick Cross Family
Family Background and Lineage
Cross is the son of Michael Cross and Anna Cross. His father, Michael, is from Jamaica, and his mother is from Trinidad and Tobago. The family has deep Caribbean roots that have shaped Cross’s background and upbringing.
Personal Life
Cross grew up in the Hyattsville and Bowie, Maryland, area, where he continues to be active in the local community. He is known for his involvement in charitable work and youth football camps across the region.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Cross was expected to compete for a starting role with the Indianapolis Colts under head coach Shane Steichen. He was projected to remain a key contributor on defense while continuing his role on special teams.
Cross spent the 2025 season continuing to build on his strong 2024 performance, appearing in all 17 games for Indianapolis and recording another productive year statistically. His experience and physicality helped anchor the Colts’ secondary alongside free safety Julian Blackmon.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Cross became a free agent and signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Washington Commanders on March 13, 2026. The signing signaled a fresh start for the young safety, who joined a Commanders team looking to add experienced playmakers to its defensive backfield.
