Making it to the pros is most of the time just a pipe dream. There is only about a two percent chance that a NCAA senior player could be drafted to the National Football League.
Overcoming the odds is something Western Carolina University defensive back Keion Crossen can now attest to that after being selected 243rd overall pick in the seventh round by the New England Patriots on April 28.
Crossen became the first Catamount player to be drafted since 1994 when tight end Andrew Jordan was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 179th pick in the sixth round.
Video courtesy of WCU’s YouTube channel:
At WCU, Crossen did not have the explosive numbers to get him drafted, but they were fairly good. As a two-year starter for the Cats, appearing in 46 games, Crossen had 165 tackles, 3 interceptions and 19 pass break-ups.
Through the adage of hard work and dedication to improve his athleticism, he had one of the best NFL pro days of 2018. With his exceptional showing at the Wake Forest pro day on March 13, he was soon on the radar of NFL scouts. He ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash which would have finished tied for first among cornerbacks invited to the NFL Combine.
The work has yet to begin for Crossen. Despite being drafted by the Pats, there is no guarantee he will make the final roster come time for the 2018 season on August 9. Step one in being drafted is completed. Now, he has to continue to prove that he belongs in the NFL.
“This means a whole lot to me, personally, because this is what I have worked for for a long time…I really want this NFL dream to come true,” said Crossen during an interview with WCU.
Cats running back Detrez Newsome (no. 21) attempting to truck his way into the end zone against Samford. Photo by Marcus Smith. Sept. 23, 2017
On the other side of the ball, Catamount running back Detrez Newsome signed to the Los Angeles Chargers that same day as an undrafted rookie. Newsome has the stellar individual numbers proven to be a formidable player in the league. For his career at WCU, he garnered 3,728 yards rushing yards which is second all-time.
Despite only playing nine games in the 2017 season, Newsome still rushed for over 1,000 yards which led him to become the first Catamount player to surpass 1,000 yards rushing for three straight seasons.
Both Newsome and Crossen got congratulatory responses from Cats coach Mark Speir, as well, who was celebrating his 50th birthday.
Now, they will have to take their NFL opportunity and try to run with it.
