The Washington Commanders drafted former Arizona Wildcats running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt with the 245h overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Croskey-Merritt is the first Arizona running back drafted since Gary Brightwell in 2021. Croskey-Merritt was the 25th running back selected in the NFL Draft.
In his only game with the Wildcats this season, Croskey-Merritt rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown against New Mexico in the season opener, then missed the remainder of the season for eligibility concerns.
Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt checks for pursuit as he leaves everybody in his wake on the way to the end zone against New Mexico in the fourth quarter on Aug. 31, 2024, at Arizona Stadium. It would be the only game Croskey-Merritt would play for the Wildcats.
Croskey-Merritt’s first collegiate season at Alabama State was in 2019. Croskey-Merritt played in 31 games over four seasons at Alabama State and rushed for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns, before transferring to New Mexico for a season.
In one season at New Mexico, the 5-10, 208-pound Croskey-Merritt rushed for 1,190 yards — which ranked 23rd in college football — and 17 touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2023. Croskey-Merritt’s 17 rushing touchdowns at UNM ranked fifth nationally; he finished with 18 total touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt ended the ’23 season with a 92.7 offensive grade on Pro Football Focus, which was eighth-best nationally.
Despite only playing in one game at Arizona, Croskey-Merritt improved his stock after he rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the East-West Shrine Bowl at AT&T Stadium in January; he was named Offensive MVP of the showcase.
At Big 12 Pro Day last month, Croskey-Merritt had the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.45 seconds) and highest vertical (41.5 inches) for running backs. Croskey-Merritt also had the second-most bench press reps (17) and third-best broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches) for running backs.
Croskey-Merritt was the fourth and final draftee from Arizona this year, joining wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers), offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (Miami Dolphins) and kicker Tyler Loop (Baltimore Ravens). It's the most NFL Draft picks for the UA since 2008.
Croskey-Merritt joins a Washington offense quarterbacked by NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. The Commanders went 12-5 in 2024 and lost to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship. Croskey-Merritt will be added to a running backs room headlined by Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Former Arizona running back Michael Wiley played his rookie season on the Commanders' practice squad after going undrafted last year.
