November 21, 2024

Signee Profile: Eric Crosby

Tennessee lands a strong, athletic defensive tackle in Eric Crosby, who can step in and play right away for the Vols.

Photo by Sumner Gilliam

A Pride of the Southland member falls in line before the Vols play Kentucky on Nov. 12, 2016.

Biography

Eric Crosby is from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At 6 feet 1 inch and 330 pounds, Crosby is a pure defensive tackle who has been committed to Tennessee since April 22, 2016.

Rankings

247Sports: No. 26 DT and No. 341 overall player in the class of 2017

Rivals: No. 27 DT in the class of 2017

ESPN: No. 18 DT in the class of 2017 and No. 226 overall player in the class of 2017

Offers

Crosby has a lengthy offer list of 19 schools. Those schools being Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, James Madison, Miami, N.C. State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Old Dominion, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Texas Tech, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Virginia and Virginia Tech were the main schools Tennessee had to beat out for Crosby’s commitment.

Film Review

The first thing that pops out when watching Crosby’s film is his lethal combination of size and athleticism. Somebody as big as Crosby shouldn’t be able to move as quick as he does. His high school team even lined him up at running back during various points of the season. Crosby is very strong at the point of attack, using his strong physical nature and quick hands to overpower offensive lineman. Like any defensive lineman coming into the SEC as a true freshman, Crosby will have to work on his technique, as he won’t be able to overpower offensive lineman like he did in high school.

With injuries to current Tennessee defensive tackles Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie, the Vols are thin on the inside of the defensive line. Crosby has the potential to come in and contribute right away.

Edited by David Bradford

Featured image by Sumner Gilliam