Dalton Crossan’s road to the NFL seemingly started long ago, but what he does over the next few months leading up to and following the NFL Draft may be most crucial. His numbers and success at the University of New Hampshire are proof enough that he will be a capable threat at the next level.
The Sachem North alum’s off-season will become one audition after another for scouts, and the fun got started last week at the College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium in Texas.
One scouting report from Joe Everett, the scouting director for NFL Draft Bible, said, “Crossan has rare movement skills and could kill people in space because of his top end speed as well as his change of direction.”
“He has excellent receiving skills and would be an ideal satellite player in the right offense with his acceleration and outstanding burst that he is able to put on,” added Evertt. “More than any running back today, Crossan was unbelievably consistent and he flashed an ability to gear up and gear down for passes. He has a place at the next level as a third down back and really took advantage of today’s practice.”
From New Hampshire Athletics …
- Crossan, who was named to the HERO Sports FCS All-America Third Team and All-CAA Football Second Team in 2016, led the Wildcats in rushes (233), rushing yards (1,281), rushing touchdowns (10), all-purpose yards (1,977), kickoff returns (20) and kickoff return yards (430).
- The running back also ranked third in receptions (42) and fifth in receiving yards (266). The 1,281 rushing yards is No. 6 on UNH’s list of single-season superlatives and the 233 rushes is No. 10.
- In the national numbers, Crossan is No. 11 in rushing yards, 13thin all-purpose yards per game (152.08), 15th in rushing yards/game (98.5) and 24th in rushing TDs.
- On the CAA leaderboards, Crossan is second in all-purpose yards/game, third in both rushing yards and rushing TDs, as well as total touchdowns (14), and fourth in rushing yards/game.
Crossan, who graduated from Sachem North in 2011, is looking to become the first Sachem alum since Chris Manno to sign a contract with an NFL team. Manno signed contracts with Kansas City and Carolina, but only played in pre-season games with the Chiefs. Jumbo Elliott still remains as the only Sachem alum to play in the NFL.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro