Latest news with #JacoryCroskey-Merritt
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Commanders RB Reveals Driving Force Behind His 2025 Goals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. enters the 2025 season with a sense of urgency. As he approaches the final year of his rookie deal, the 25-year-old is aiming to prove he's worthy of a long-term extension, whether from Washington or another team. Robinson has shown flashes of being a reliable lead back, but durability remains a question mark. Since entering the league in 2022, he has yet to complete a full season. His rookie campaign was notably interrupted by a traumatic event — Robinson was shot twice in an attempted robbery just weeks before the season opener. Remarkably, he missed only four games and returned to rush for 797 yards. Robinson continued to show growth over the next two seasons, logging over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. Despite steady improvement, the Commanders appear to be exploring future options. During the 2025 NFL Draft, Washington selected running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. Croskey-Merritt has been touted as a late-round steal and has already turned heads within the organization. I said it during the predraft process & I said it again when he was taken in the 7th in that I fully expect Jacory Croskey-Merritt to earn touches when things count in Washington this fall. Good to hear his minicamp is off to a hot start — the kid can flat out play ball. — Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) June 11, 2025 Expert NFL analysis on the best NFL Anytime Touchdown predictions for Week 12, including Brian Robinson Jr's chances of getting into the end zone. Expert NFL analysis on the best NFL Anytime Touchdown predictions for Week 12, including Brian Robinson Jr's chances of getting into the end is also sharing a backfield with Austin Ekeler, who handled much of the receiving workload last season and is entering a contract year competition brewing and his contract expiring, Robinson understands that he's not only playing to maintain his starting role, but also to secure his future in the NFL. "The biggest thing for me is just being available," Robinson told reporters. "Just being on the field, I think, when I'm healthy and I'm well — the biggest thing for me is just being available, being out there on the field where I can continue to produce. Everything, as far as the craft, I'm going to continue to stay sharp and continue to work, put in the extra time, the extra hours in the building, outside the building, whatever I need to do to stay sharp." HELL WHEN I'M WELL: RB Brian Robinson, Jr. on final year of his rookie deal, and what he's been working on the last few months: "The biggest thing for me is just being available... when I'm healthy and I'm well... I'm hell when I'm well for sure"@JPFinlayNBCS #RaiseHail — NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) June 10, 2025 Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury knows how effective Robinson can be. If he stays healthy and produces in 2025, a long-term deal could be on the horizon. "He's been really focused," Kingsbury said. "The biggest thing that came out of last year I think was that any of the guys that we asked to go in and play, played at a really high level. "B-Rob's a guy who has played an incredibly high level. I thought early in the year when he was really healthy, he was what we expect him to be, and the focus this offseason has been great. He knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level." For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders' rookie receives prestigious honor from his hometown
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has yet to play in an NFL game, but recently received a prestigious honor. A seventh-round pick of the Washington Commanders in the 2025 NFL draft, Croskey-Merritt was recently honored by his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. The Montgomery City Council announced at Monday's meeting that May 8 would be "Jacory Croskey-Merritt Day." Croskey-Merritt grew up in Montgomery playing sports. After receiving little attention from colleges, he began his college career at Alabama State. To enhance his chances at the NFL, Croskey-Merritt transferred to New Mexico, where he enjoyed a terrific 2023 season, rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt decided to make one more jump, this time to the Arizona Wildcats. Advertisement Croskey-Merritt began his Arizona career in a big way, rushing for 106 yards on 13 carries and scoring one touchdown in the season opener. Unfortunately, a quirky eligibility issue hung over his head for the remainder of the 2024 season, and he did not play again. Thankfully, Croskey-Merritt was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was named offensive MVP. The Commanders loved what they saw on tape from Croskey-Merritt, and many analysts believe he could prove to be a draft steal. In addition to his potential on the field, Washington appreciated how Croskey-Merritt remained with his team all season, supporting them rather than just walking away when he could have. 'This is something I wanted, to go pro in and not just watching guys on TV," Croskey-Merritt told WAKA Action 8 News. "I'm like, 'Man, that could be me one day.' So like ever since I was young, this just always has been my goal." Congratulations to Croskey-Merritt. Advertisement Next up for the running back is the rookie minicamp this weekend in Ashburn. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' rookie earns prestigious honor
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Late Pick Labeled Draft Steal
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was one of the more underrated players coming out of the 2025 Draft. He played in just one game last season but has the intangibles to be an immediate impact help on the Washington Commanders. As a seventh-round pick, the odds of Croskey-Merritt providing an impact are low at this point. Advertisement But not impossible. and deputy editor, written content, Gennaro Filice, believes the Arizona running back could be in line for a huge career with the Commanders, and it all may start in his rookie year. "Croskey-Merritt's one of the biggest wild cards in this draft class, as NCAA eligibility issues limited him to one game last season for Arizona (13 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against New Mexico)," Filice wrote. "He popped back up in the East-West Shrine Bowl, earning Offensive MVP honors after rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. JCM's a deep sleeper as the 245th overall pick, but he's an interesting prospect to follow, nonetheless." In a locker room with Ekeler and Robinson already established, playing time will be sparse for Croskey-Merritt to begin his career. Advertisement Both are on expiring deals, though. If Croskey-Merritt can prove he can be competent going into the 2025 season, despite his lack of touches in college, the Commanders may have found a diamond in the rough that they can trust moving ahead. And it would fundamentally change the team's draft going forward. Related: Commanders Trade for WR Projected To Produce Fantasy Stats Related: Jayden's Commanders Predicted To Surprise With 2 Rookie Starters
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins host former Arizona, New Mexico RB on visit
Dolphins host former Arizona, New Mexico RB on visit The Miami Dolphins hosted Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on a visit Monday, according to a post on his social media. Croskey-Merritt began his collegiate career at Alabama State and spent one season at New Mexico before joining Arizona for the 2024 season. But he played just one game with the Wildcats and missed the remainder of the year as the NCAA reevaluated his eligibility status. In his sole game with Arizona, Croskey-Merritt ran for 106 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Prior to 2024, Croskey-Merritt earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors after running for 1,190 yards and recording 18 touchdowns with New Mexico. While he didn't receive an invite to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Croskey-Merritt was the MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl and measured in at 5'10, 206 pounds at the Big 12 Pro Day. Earlier this offseason, the Dolphins cut ties with veteran running back Raheem Mostert and allowed Jeff Wilson to reach free agency. The team signed former Vikins and Raiders running back Alexander Mattison in free agency to join De'Von Achane and 2024 fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright in the Miami backfield.
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals to bring in Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt for official visit
Arizona Cardinals to bring in Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt for official visit The Cardinals apparently have some interest in Jacory Croskey-Merritt from the University of Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals apparently are doing their homework on local running backs. They had an official top-30 visit with Arizona State running back prospect Cam Skattebo, one of the most popular athletes in the Phoenix area over the last year, and will have another one with a running back from down in Tucson. According to Justin Spears for the Tucson Star, Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has a top-30 visit scheduled with the Cardinals, as well as the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and others. This is another interesting move. The Cardinals will hold a local pro day where they can bring in prospects either from the Phoenix area or attending college here and it would not use an official visit. However, that is much different than an official top-30 visit. Croskey-Merritt was a standout at the East-West Shrine Bowl this year, earning the game's Offensive MVP honors. He rushed 11 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He had eligibility issues for Arizona in 2025, appearing in only one game, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown after he had 1,190 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt for New Mexico in 2023. He is 5-foot-11 and 208 pounds. He did not get invited to the NFL combine. He might get Day 3 consideration. The Cardinals likely won't look for any running backs until at least Day 3. But he is a name to watch once the draft makes it to Saturday later this month. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
