Commanders Rookie Vows To Be Steal of Draft

Washington Commanders' rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has already established some lofty goals after making the NFL. As Croskey-Merritt heads to Washington, he's excited to play alongside his new teammates.

"It's a lot of vets, a lot of guys that got a lot of respect around the league, and I'm ready to go do the same thing they did," Crosky-Merritt said on the Come On Na' Podcast.

Croskey-Merritt is not just eager to learn from the veterans, he's eager to prove he belongs with the Commanders and in the NFL.  

"I’m grown too. I’m a pro too. Everybody’s on the same level. I feel like nobody’s going to show sympathy for me because I’m a rookie going in. I gotta go out there and match the talent because it’s a business at the end of the day." Croskey-Merritt said.

Croskey-Merritt also discussed his goals, which are simple, but rightfully ambitious. 

"Making the team, going out there and producing, helping the team win a Super Bowl—that’s my rookie goal. I feel like if we go out there and do that, then the other stuff will come. Rookie Player of the Year and all the other stuff, you feel me? So I feel like just going out there and winning and helping, and just letting the other goals fall into place."

Croskey-Merritt is determined to make an immediate winning impact on the Commanders. 

Croskey-Merritt had an up-and-down collegiate career. He initially started his career with Alabama State, where he ran for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons. He entered the NCAA transfer portal, committing to play for the New Mexico Lobos. For the Lobos, he ran for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

Following his second-team All-Mountain-West honors, Croskey-Merritt hit the transfer portal again. He initially committed to Arizona before flipping his commitment to Ole Miss, and then re-flipping his commitment back to Arizona. Croskey-Merritt played in just one game for the Wildcats due to eligibility issues, but it was a game to remember, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown. 

Most recently, Croskey-Merritt played at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, being named the games MVP.