In a world where college players often struggle to make the jump to the NFL, one superstar is taking matters into his own hands and changing the mentorship game. Las Vegas Raiders defensive powerhouse Maxx Crosby just dropped a game-changing announcement—and it’s way more than just talk. With a fiery post on X, Crosby made a bold offer to elite college edge rushers across the country, and it could be the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Yoo!! This one goes out to the absolute best Edge Rushers in all of College Football! I want you at Eastern Michigan!” Maxx said in his post. But this isn’t just some hype-filled message. It’s a blueprint for player development, and Crosby’s putting his name, time, and mentorship on the line. As part of this move, Eastern Michigan has renamed the weakside defensive end position to “The MAXX,” honoring Crosby’s legendary rise from the school to NFL stardom. But that’s just the beginning.

The best player in that position will now be eligible for “The MAXX” award, which includes a rare bonus. An invite to a Raiders game and direct mentorship from Crosby himself. This program isn’t for casual players. Crosby has also set up a dedicated email address where top edge rushers can send their game film for review. He’s not passing the responsibility off to anyone else—he’s doing it himself. “I will personally mentor and develop you into the best player you can! 1% better is not just a saying, it’s a lifestyle,” Crosby added in his post.

And Crosby’s commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed by those closest to his alma mater. Eastern Michigan Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee couldn’t contain his admiration: “Maxx is somebody who wants to leave a legacy here and wants to give back to our student-athletes,” Wetherbee said. “Maxx cares about Eastern. He wears it on his sleeve; he literally wears it on his arm and cares about this place.” If you’re thinking this is just a one-off headline, think again. His pride and relentless drive have made Crosby who he is today. Many NFL players reflect on their college years with nostalgia, like someone would look at Orkut, or maybe Tintin. But Crosby? Nah, he’s actively shaping the future for the college players.

But is Crosby only working on turning college players into straight-up polished diamonds? Not at all. This offseason, Crosby’s been working just as hard with his own Raiders teammates. He’s been training alongside rookie offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, a highly regarded prospect and projected draft target. The two have been going head-to-head in offseason workouts, giving Powers-Johnson a taste of the NFL’s speed and intensity. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity for a rookie to face off against a Pro Bowler like Crosby. So what does it mean? It means Maxx is all-in to raise the bar. He’s Miyagi sensei, and he’s off creating Karate kids. 

While Crosby’s out here laying the groundwork for the next wave of edge rushers, the Raiders have their sights set on something just as big—a new quarterback. With the draft right around the corner, the pressure’s on. Vegas knows it’s time to shake things up under center, and this could be the moment that changes everything for the franchise.

Raiders Face Crucial Quarterback Decision as Draft Nears

While Maxx Crosby is busy shaping the future of the Raiders’ defense, the front office is eyeing a fresh start at quarterback. Word is—according to Athlon Sports and a few plugged-in insiders—Vegas is seriously considering trading Aidan O’Connell during the draft. That move would be a clear sign they’re ready to hit reset on the most important position on the field.

O’Connell showed some flashes in his second year, starting 9 games and throwing for 1,612 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 picks. His passer rating climbed to 86.7, and his completion rate ticked up to 63.4%, but the pressure still rattled him. He took 10 sacks (ouch!) and ranked just 28th in EPA/play—so yeah, not exactly lighting it up. The offense overall didn’t help either, finishing 30th in scoring with a rough 18.2 points per game. That inconsistency led the Raiders to bring in Geno Smith this offseason, bumping O’Connell down the depth chart.

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Now, with HC Antonio Pierce and GM Tom Telesco running the show, it’s clear they’re looking to build this team their way—and that might mean turning the page on the O’Connell era. With the 13th overall pick in the draft and a deep QB class to choose from, this may be their best shot at securing a long-term solution at the position. Athletic’s Vic Tafur wrote, “Bringing in a young quarterback to learn behind Smith makes sense (and we think the Raiders might trade Aidan O’Connell on draft weekend),”

Several top prospects are already linked to the Raiders, including Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Will Howard, Jalen Milroe, and Quinn Ewers—each with their own skill set that could mesh well with Vegas’ needs. If the Raiders choose to wait until the later rounds, they could still land a project quarterback to develop. Alternatively, a veteran QB might come via trade or free agency to mentor a rookie and bring stability to the locker room.

For a team that’s still searching for its offensive identity, the upcoming draft could be a defining moment. Meanwhile, Aidan O’Connell’s future is uncertain. From a Day 3 pick to a starting QB, his journey could be hitting a crossroads. Whether he stays or moves on, his time with the Raiders could soon be a chapter, not the whole story.

While the Raiders face a QB decision, Maxx Crosby continues to be the anchor of the team. He is focusing on his NFL career, and he’s also shaping the future of both Eastern Michigan and the Raiders. The “MAXX” award solidifies his legacy at his alma mater, a place he never truly left behind. 

The Raiders are stepping into a new era. Maxx Crosby is already building his. And as both the draft and defensive drills unfold, the foundation of both stories continues to grow.