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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Howard Cross III Excited For Senior Season

August 16, 2018
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Despite having the same name as a standout NFL player, Howard Cross III‍ wasn’t always the player opponents were looking to prove themselves against.

“I’m going to be honest, back in freshman year, I was not that good at football,” laughs Cross III.

A lot has changed since his freshman year at St. Joseph Regional in Montvale, N.J.

“I don’t know what happened, but sophomore year, it started and I can see it now,” Cross III adds.

He emerged as one of the top defensive end prospects on the East Coast, gathering up several major scholarship offers before committing to Notre Dame back in April.

Along the way, Cross certainly became one of those players others measure themselves against, so he’ll be used to the attention heading into his senior season this fall.

“Honestly, it’s going to be nothing new,” the 6-foot-2, 240-pounder says. “My dad said it the best, it’s almost like having a target on your back. Everybody is going to be gunning for you and everybody is going to be show out against you, saying, ‘I can take that kid down.’

“In past years, I was one of the good sophomores, one of the good juniors. Now I’m committed to Notre Dame, so I’m the Notre Dame kid and they’re going to be gunning for me. I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing to get a lot better.”

Cross and his teammates recently wrapped up training camp.

“It went very, very well,” he recounts. “The team is looking really, really good…I think we’re actually doing really well right now.

“The team is doing very, very well this year. Everybody is getting all of the stuff correct. In the past years, it took a little bit for everybody to figure out what they were doing. But it was almost like instantly, every single person knew what they were doing.”

The goals are equally optimistic.

“To make it to States, have the number one overall ranking and hopefully place very high in the country,” says Cross III.

Individually, one of his chief goals is to prove he’s worthy of the opportunities he earned.

“Just keep doing what I’m doing and to show Notre Dame that they’re getting their money’s worth with me,” he says.

Cross III believes he’ll be able to show more in his final season of high school ball.

“My strength on my pass rush is definitely better,” he explains. “I’m still trying to get as fast as possible with my get-off because that’s important, but I think my pass rush and my technique have gotten a lot better.”

Cross III left his first visit to Notre Dame committed and he’s planning to be back in South Bend late next month.

“I believe I’m going to go down for my official visit during the Stanford game. I’m actually really excited. I went to the Blue-Gold Game. I haven’t been to a real game, but I’ve heard from every single person that it’s an experience, so I’m very excited for that.”

 
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