My Story
From Bowie
to the Capital
My Story
From Bowie to the Capital
Nick Cross was born and raised in Bowie, Maryland, a DMV kid who grew up rooting for the Commanders and idolizing Clinton Portis. He sharpened his instincts at DeMatha Catholic long before the stadium lights. Early mornings, film study, and a family that treated hard work as a way of life shaped everything about how he plays and who he is: physical, grounded, and relentless.
He stayed home to play for the University of Maryland from 2019 through 2021, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in all three seasons. As a senior he started all 13 games and led the Terrapins with 3 interceptions, a rangy, downhill safety who paired the closing speed to erase the deep ball with the physicality to fill against the run.
“Every snap I'm playing for the guys next to me and the people back home in the DMV.”
The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the third round, 96th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. Across four seasons and 67 games he stacked 304 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and 3.5 sacks, starting all 17 games in each of his last two years. In 2025 he set career highs with 2.5 sacks and 6 QB hits and tied for the league lead among safeties with 33 run stops.
On March 13, 2026, the Washington Commanders signed him to a two-year deal. Standing 6'0" and 212 pounds and wearing #25, the 24-year-old enters his fifth NFL season with a homecoming to the burgundy and gold he grew up rooting for, from Bowie to College Park to the nation's capital.
Media & Broadcast
In Front of the Camera
Off the field, Nick has become a familiar voice in the national football conversation. He's broken down the game on NFL Network's morning desk, traded takes with Kay Adams, and stepped in front of the DAZN cameras — bringing the same instincts and energy to the studio that he brings to the secondary.
Good Morning Football
NFL Network
Up & Adams
Kay Adams
Inside the Ring
DAZN
The Journey
Career Timeline
Bowie, MD
DMV Roots
Born and raised in Bowie, Maryland, Nick grew up a Commanders fan idolizing Clinton Portis, then starred at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville and built the instincts and physicality that would define his game.
2019–2021
College Park
Stayed home to play for the Maryland Terrapins, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten all three seasons. As a senior he started all 13 games and led the team with 3 interceptions.
3
Sr. INTs
13
Starts (Sr.)
3x
All-Big Ten (HM)
2022–2025
Indianapolis Colts
A third-round pick (96th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, Nick played four seasons in Indianapolis and started all 17 games in each of his last two years. In 2025 he set career highs with 2.5 sacks and 6 QB hits and tied for the league lead among safeties with 33 run stops.
304
Tackles
5
Interceptions
12
Passes Def.
2026–Present
Washington Commanders
Signed a two-year deal on March 13, 2026. Wearing #25 at 6′0″, 212 lbs, the 24-year-old enters his fifth NFL season with a homecoming to the burgundy and gold he grew up rooting for.
Gallery