Maxx Crosby. The name just sounds intimidating. Many may not know who the six foot five pass rusher is. It is time to start remembering the name.

After graduating from Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas, Maxx Crosby decided to redshirt his first year and sit out. He would attend Eastern Michigan University. In 2015, he was named Scout Team Player of the Year by the university. During his official freshman year at EMU, Crosby played all 13 games, recording 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Crosby knew he would step it up in the following season. In 2017, Maxx led the team with 11 sacks and was selected to the first team All-Mid-American Conference Team. During the 2018 season, Maxx Crosby made his name known to professional scouts. In his first year of eligibility for the NFL Draft, Crosby did it all. He had 19 tackles for a loss (1.6 per game, which was seventh in the country), 7.5 sacks, and an impressive 4 forced fumbles (0.33 per game, which was tenth in the country. Maxx was placed on the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is for the top defensive end in the nation. Maxx Crosby will be known as one of the best defensive players in Eastern Michigan University history.

Some may not be too impressed with Crosby’s college success based on the teams he was facing against. Well, that wasn’t the case for Coach Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders. In the fourth round (pick 106) of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders took the big edge rusher. This was after selecting All-American defensive end Clelin Ferrell at pick number four in the draft. Maxx Crosby would be given the opportunity to play for the struggling Raiders defense. In training camp, Jon Gruden said that Maxx Crosby “might lead the league in effort”.  Gruden is known to overexaggerate at times, but regardless, this is high praise coming from the head coach. Crosby was also featured on the HBO-series Hard Knocks throughout all of training camp, which gave some exposure to football fans.

Crosby only played one preseason game, but would play in Week 1 of the 2019 season.  “Madd Maxx” has gone berserk this year. In ten games, he has 28 tackles with 6.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles.  So far, Crosby has taken his skill set from college and relayed it into the NFL. In Week 5 against the Chicago Bears, he recorded his first sack.  Along with that accolade, he had six tackles. Week 11 was a special one for the rook. Maxx had four sacks, with one being a strip sack where the Raiders recovered it.  This was the most sacks in a game by a Raider since Khalil Mack, who had five sacks in a game during the year 2015. Maxx was even named as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Raiders haven’t had a game-changing defender since Khalil Mack, who was traded to Chicago before the 2018 season.  While it is early, Maxx Crosby could be that guy. He has clearly shown that he can perform at a high level against legitimate competition.  The fact that rookie Clelin Ferrell is one the opposite side of the line will only help Crosby. They are both up and coming players who could be a deadly combo in a few years.  Crosby’s work ethic separates him from most. That truly stands out. Personally, I see “Madd” Maxx Crosby as a player who eventually has a solid NFL career when it is all said and done.