New Seahawks OT Charles Cross: ‘I bring great toughness and nastiness’
Apr 29, 2022, 11:08 AM
Charles Cross of Mississippi State runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
After plenty of speculation about what the Seahawks would do when they were on the clock at No. 9 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Seattle chose to stay where it was and draft a long-term starter at offensive tackle in Mississippi State’s Charles Cross.
Mike Leach, OT Charles Cross’ college coach, details Seahawks’ top pick
Cross, a first-team All-SEC member as a redshirt-sophomore in 2021, became the highest Seahawks draft pick since 2010 when Seattle also nabbed a starting offensive tackle in Russell Okung.
The newest Seahawk, @CharlesC_67!
📺: 2022 #NFLDraft – April 28-30 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/w6Za4puWX7
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 29, 2022
A day after becoming a top-10 draft pick, how is Cross feeling? He joined Seattle Sports 710 AM’s Mike Salk Show Friday morning to discuss that and much more.
“I’m doing good, man. Just enjoying the moment. I’m excited to make it to Seattle,” he said.
Seattle bound 🛫#GoHawks x @Delta pic.twitter.com/nqJPSVKgeg
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 29, 2022
Cross called the 12 hours between being selected ninth overall and his interview with Salk as “exciting,” “emotional” and “heavy.”
The moment @CharlesC_67's NFL dreams came true 📞 pic.twitter.com/GySuNdBUK3
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 29, 2022
He also shared what he’s bringing to Seattle from Starkville, Mississippi.
“I’m a great pass blocker. I’m smooth with my pass sets, nasty in the run game,” he said. “I love to run block. I just bring a great toughness and nastiness to the game.”
The run blocking aspect of Cross’ game will be what many look closest at as he played in Mike Leach’s Air Raid system at Mississippi State for two seasons.
Despite spending nearly his entire college career as a pass protector, Cross made it clear he’s a fan of run blocking.
“I love run blocking. That’s like my favorite thing to do,” he said.
Asked who some of his favorite players growing up were? Cross chose a number of star left tackles, including Terron Armstead, Andrew Whitworth, Trent Williams and Tyron Smith.
Cross wasn’t the only person Salk spoke to Friday morning either, as his mother, Owedia, hopped on the call as well.
“It’s just through the roof,” she said when asked her level of pride in her son.
What was her reaction when her son became the No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft?
“I was just ecstatic. Tears came out of my eyes and I was just so happy for him,” she said.
Listen to the full interview at this link or in the player below.
More Seahawks NFL Draft coverage:
• Rost: Seahawks’ attempt to make good on gamble of trading Wilson begins
• Huard on Seahawks Draft: OT Charles Cross a lot like Duane Brown
• Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft Tracker: Keep up with picks and trades
• Watch Seahawks NFL Draft coverage all 3 days on SeattleSports.com
