Big Board ranking: #4

Positional ranking: #2

 

Overview

Position: OT

College: Mississippi State

Class: Sophomore (RS)

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’4 3/4”

Weight: 307 lbs.

Arm length: 34 1/2″

Hand size: 10 3/4″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.95 sec.

Vertical jump: 26.0″

Broad jump: 112.0″

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: 7.88 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.61 sec.

 

Strengths

Prototype athletic build. Very smooth. Extremely intelligent in terms of positioning. Feet are quick and light. Calmly mirrors pass rushers. Has the quickness to stop counters/spins. Stays poised and patient to neutralize pass-rush moves. Excellent technique for pass sets. Quick at the snap. Keeps a wide and strong base in pass protection. Pushes defenders wide to eliminate the speed rush. Able to open up hips and stick with speed. Very good strength to hold up versus power rushers. Awareness and vision allow him to easily pick up stunts. Tremendous feel for assignments and timing to pick up free rushers. Closes off gaps in pass protection. Plays with physicality in the running game. Will engage and lockout defenders. Buries opponents when he gets them to the ground. Plus acceleration to get out in space. Wipes out defenders in space on tunnel screens. Played great versus Alabama in 2021 (rarely matched up against Will Anderson).

 

Weaknesses

Susceptible to inside moves. Can be too reliant on length and get stiff because of it. Needs to clean up outside hand placement to avoid holds (often uncalled). Should be better staying engaged when hitting marks at the second level. Plays a bit flat-footed overall.

 

NFL comparison

Andrew Thomas

 

Conclusion

Overall, Cross is an athletic offensive tackle that can be a wall in pass protection with an impressive combination of smoothness and strength. He should be an early first-round pick with the ability to play either tackle spot despite only starting on the blindside at Mississippi State.