Steel City Underground Editor Eric Herrmann sat down with former Eastern Michigan outside linebacker Maxx Crosby in this exclusive interview.

Maxx Crosby is an edge rusher from Eastern Michigan ready to make a splash in the NFL.

Coming out of high school, Crosby only got a scholarship offer from one school to play football – Eastern Michigan. He took the opportunity and ran with it, which led to a prolific college career and a probable chance to play in the NFL.

He may have chosen the school by default, but Crosby loved his time at Eastern Michigan.

“My favorite thing about the program was the family atmosphere. You know everybody’s so close, we were a super tight knit team and I think that the biggest way to go about that can turn things around”

Playing defensive end, it was his sophomore season when he had his breakout year. Crosby was a force on the edge recording a team-high 11 sacks. He also excelled as creating turnovers, forcing 4 fumbles in the same year. The following season his production dipped slightly with 7.5 sacks, but he still managed to record 4 forced fumbles.

This production clearly shows that Crosby is a capable pass rushing and he is certainly passionate about his craft.

“I love sacking the quarterback, but just being an edge rusher I love being able to effect the game in so many different ways. The main thing everybody thinks of when they of an edge rusher is sacking the quarterback, but there’s so many more aspects that you can affect the game in. For me especially I feel like I play the run really well and I get in the backfield consistently, that’s a big part of my game that I really pay attention to and try to do as much as I can against the run.”

Crosby excelled as a pass rusher in college but he knows his game is far from perfect.

“There’s always room for improvement in every part of my game. The main thing that comes to mind is cleaning up my techniques, hand placement, footwork, getting off the ball and not firing up field, you know playing more technical.”

For edge rushers getting to the quarterback is obviously the most important job, but in 3-4 defenses such as the Steelers’, edge rushers are always asked to drop back into coverage. It’s something Crosby isn’t experienced with but he’s been working on.

“That’s something I feel like I could do. In college I really didn’t do it at all so getting the reps is something that will be a big part of it. And these private workouts I’ve been doing done tons of dropping and catching the ball out in the flats, and I’m just learning on the fly but it’s not something I’m totally not used to, I did it in high school for 3 years and I’m willing to do whatever, and I feel like athletically I can do it pretty easily”

Crosby’s athleticism certainly shows he has the ability to drop into coverage.

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It does take more than mere athleticism however to play in the NFL. Every year we see players fall out of the league because, despite their natural talent, they simply didn’t have the drive and worth ethic to survive. Crosby understands that work ethic and drive are necessary components to a football career which is why he plays with such a high motor.

“It’s a big part of the game that a lot of people don’t take seriously – I love playing to the end of the whistle. It’s just a big part of making plays and a lot of people don’t understand that. Running to the ball consistently will put you in positions to make a lot more plays than you’d expect.”

“I feel like if you’re on the field then you’d be doing your coach and all my teammates a disservice if I wasn’t out there playing 100 miles per hour, doing everything I can to help my team win. At the end of the game I don’t want to be thinking ‘I could’ve played harder, I could’ve made a couple more plays’ that’s something I never want to be feeling after a game.”

Crosby’s doesn’t save all his effort for gameday. He also understands the importance of preparation and wouldn’t waste any time readying for his next opponent.

“It starts right after the last game ends. The first thing I do is look at who we’re playing and I find out as much as I can about the tackle and his background. I figure out how he likes to play. I break him down, I start with hands, his stance see if he gives away things a lot between run and pass, and then I go to his footwork. And it’s basically from top to bottom. I just try to figure out his weaknesses and what kind of finisher he is, how he finishes plays, try to pick him apart as much as I can.”

Crosby recently had his pro day where he had the opportunity to show off his skillset for NFL teams around the league.

“They had me on the field doing d-line drills and linebacker drills, I just wanted to go out there and do anything they asked me and show them that I can move in space. I was happy with my day overall.”

Pro days also give players the opportunity to talk to scouts and coaches from NFL teams. A players tape, workouts, and testing numbers paint a picture of what kind of player they are, but scouts also try and find out what kind of person a player is.

“They (scouts) usually start with my background, my family, just wanting to know my story. They just want to know what kind of person you are, what kind of worker you are, are you somebody that sticks to your word and is honest. It’s something I pride myself on, imp a super honest person”

Throughout the entire draft process, it’s easy to forget the fact that these players are young men going through a completely unique experience that they’ll never have again.

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Crosby described what some of his favorite parts of the pre-draft process has been.

“The combine was amazing, being in Indy was an once-in-a-lifetime type of deal. There’s been a lot of awesome experiences. Getting to meet different guys and different types of people, just to meet guys I’ve watched on TV and seen on TV, getting to talk to them in person has been really cool”

With the pressure of college football and his upcoming trek into the NFL, Crosby’s foundation is simple advice from his loved ones.

“Just being myself. My mom has always told me that, my girlfriends always told me that. growing up when you grow up you try to be part of the crowd and be that type of person, but for me growing up I always wanted to true to myself and be the best person I can be. Not being a follower has been a big part of why I’m here right now. I always try to be an example. Being myself has been a key to my success over these last few years.”

Crosby is a player that is pretty easy to envision as a Steeler. His passion and drive are clear, but it’s also his athleticism that gives him so much potential. He’d be the perfect type of player to draft and develop. You know will give everything he has on special teams and will work tirelessly to perfect his craft. He’s the type of person you want both on the field and on the locker room.

Regardless of where he lands, I’m confident Crosby will carry his working mentality with him and have an impact on whatever roster he joins.