Washington Commanders coach retroactively awards Sidney Lanier alumnus “a lot of stars.”
Washington Commanders running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt carries the football during an NFL game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.in NFL history have run for at least 72 yards and one touchdown in their first game.
Washington Commanders running back When the Commanders selected Croskey-Merritt at No. 245 on April 26, only 12 selections remained in the 2025 NFL Draft. On Sunday, Croskey-Merritt ran for 82 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries in Washington’s 21-6 victory over the New York Giants in his NFL debut.after the game. “I waited a long time for this, and I just want to give these guys thanks for pushing me and believing in me. … “It was definitely exciting to hear the crowd rooting for me. This fan base is unbelievable, and every time I step on the field I’m going to give it all to my team and the fan base. I feel like we all just play a part to success.”Croskey-Merritt would appear to have been an unlikely candidate for a unique place in NFL history even beyond his draft status. Although he had 2,354 all-purpose yards and made second-team All-State at Sidney Lanier High School in 2018, Croskey-Merritt was lightly recruited, and heon Tuesday in the Washington locker room, “and it taught me that I just got to run my own race. Don’t look at nobody else and, like, see what they got. It’s you at the end of the day. And I love being an underdog and just proving people wrong.” After Croskey-Merritt ran for 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns on 328 carries and caught 29 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown in 31 games across four seasons atabout whether Croskey-Merritt had redshirted for Alabama State or appeared in more than the allowed four games for the Hornets in 2019, calling his eligibility into question. Croskey-Merritt did not play again in the 2024 season until winning the Offensive MVP Award at the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 30.Croskey-Merritt is on Washington’s running-backs depth chart with Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr., who are in their ninth, fifth and third NFL seasons, respectively.on Tuesday, “but just this guy is a true competitor and he wants to prove. And that’s not a lot different than Josh Connorly. That’s Trey Amos. These young players who are here: ‘Man, I want to show you can count on me, that I belong.’ They want in. And so, I like that hungry mindset, but he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have the talent. “And so if I was in Montgomery, I would certainly give him a lot of stars coming out. So that happens sometimes, you know? Why did this guy get picked late and they do well in the NFL? And sometimes you just need the right space at the right spot. And we’ve got a lot of belief in him. And I certainly hope he feels that. But he’s earned that. You know, that’s not something that we just throw around to make a guy feel better. Like, you’ve got to show it. And then for us, then it’s our job to develop it and pull it out of him. “But this is a guy that’s hungry and wants to show he can keep developing and keep improving. I would expect he’s going to be hitting his stride weeks from now with more development, more time, more looks. Like, that experience counts. And having guys like Austin and J-Mac and Chris right side-by-side with him, that’s a big deal.”The Commanders kick off Week 2 of the NFL’s 2025 season when they play the Green Bay Packers at 7:15 p.m. CDT Thursday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Prime Video will televise the game.. “I know it’s a historic place, and I’m excited for any chance I get to be on the NFL. And we’re just going to treat it like any other weekend and go attack it.”If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
NFL 2023 @River-Montgomery Section:/Sports
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NFL Survivor Picks & Best Bets for Week 2Jason Logan offers his favorite NFL Survivor picks for Week 2 of the NFL season.
Read more »
Dozens of Alabama lawmakers endorse candidate facing former congressman seeking return to WashingtonHouse Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and 31 other representatives announced their choice.
Read more »
Democrat taunts Republicans whining about key Trump issue: You’re hypocrites!One GOP congresswoman did not take her comments lightly.
Read more »
Seattle Seahawks ‘have more plays’ for rookie quarterback Jalen MilroeThe former Alabama standout opened his NFL career by taking one snap against the 49ers.
Read more »
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFLThe most complete listing of all-time Alabama Crimson Tide Football Players in the NFL by team
Read more »
Contract Info, Status of Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players: Bama in the NFLA complete breakdown of every former Alabama player in the NFL, including teams, positions, jersey numbers, draft information and contract status
Read more »