Charles Cross came to Mississippi State as a five-star recruit and lived up to his promise.
On Thursday night, Cross got to cash in.
The Bulldogs’ star offensive tackle was selected ninth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 NFL draft. Cross was the third offensive lineman off the board and the fourth Southeastern Conference player to be taken.
One of the top pass-protectors in the draft class, Cross is the highest draft pick out of Mississippi State since Michael Haddix was picked eighth overall in 1983 and the highest-drafted offensive lineman in program history.
“Congratulations Charles! It was an honor to coach you and have you as a Bulldog,” MSU coach Mike Leach tweeted.
The Bulldogs’ most recent first-round pick was Johnathan Abram at No. 27 overall in 2019, a year when MSU had three first-rounders: Jeffery Simmons, Montez Sweat and Abram. Cross is the 15th first-round pick from the school.
Cross came to Starkville from Laurel High School, where he was the top recruit in Mississippi and a five-star prospect according to Rivals and 247 Sports. After redshirting in 2019, Cross started 10 games the following season.
In 2021, Cross took another step forward. He had the highest pass blocking grade in the SEC, according to Pro Football Focus, and he was second in run blocking, too.
Cross went behind North Carolina State tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who went sixth to the Carolina Panthers, and Alabama tackle Evan Neal, who was picked seventh by the New York Giants.
He will help a Seahawks offensive line that lost left tackle Duane Brown to free agency. PFF ranked Seattle’s O-line 25th best in the NFL last season, so Cross can certainly step in and play right away.
Seattle last drafted a Mississippi State player in 2017, when offensive lineman Justin Senior went in the sixth round to the Seahawks.
The No. 9 pick has a projected contract value of just under $21.4 million, meaning Cross is in for a big payday.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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