Jacory Croskey-Merritt's high school recruiting ratings belie the impressive NFL rookie season the running back had in 2025. The seventh-rounder was a lightly-recruited, zero-star prospect out of Sidney Lanier High School, and if it weren't for an institution in his backyard, it isn't hard to imagine a world where Croskey-Merritt doesn't make it to the league.

"Alabama State was really the only opportunity I had to be honest," Croskey-Merritt said. "My hometown believed in me and they just came through. Without them, I don't think I would have had any other offer."

The 2025 draft pick spent four seasons with the Hornets before stints with New Mexico and Arizona. During that time, he appeared in 31 games, rushing for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns with 29 receptions for 335 yards and a touchdown. Croskey-Merritt looks back at his Alabama State era with pride, viewing it as an experience that delivered countless joyful memories, built resilience and gave him important relationships he continues to lean on.

Upon receiving the offer from his hometown institution, Croskey-Merritt "took it and ran with it." He realized being there was a blessing. For one, it meant playing in front of the people who had been there from the very beginning of his athletic journey. His whole extended family was in Montgomery, Alabama, and playing football with his cousins was foundational to the passion he developed for the sport. Going to Alabama State allowed family to come to "every game, no matter if it was away or home."

"That was kind of cool, being able just to be home and them being able to see me play," Croskey-Merritt said.

Not long after stepping on campus, the running back became acquainted with what he describes as the "different culture" of historically Black colleges and universities like Alabama State.

"We knew what we were there for," he said. "We take pride in our school."

Alongside classes and football, there was a unique, high-energy community feel. Fried Chicken Wednesdays in the cafeteria, the fanfare of homecoming, marching band performances and Divine Nine dance sessions were favorite traditions of Croskey-Merritt's on campus.

"The culture is just different. Everybody just gets together and just have fun, play music and have a good time," he said.

There was also a significance, however, to what Alabama State didn't have. There were fewer resources, and less of a spotlight as compared to FBS schools.

"We didn't have a lot, so when it got hard at other places like New Mexico and Arizona, I'd kind of been through it already at Alabama State," Croskey-Merritt said. "I kind of knew what it was to struggle and still chase your dream … It taught me to just be grateful and just appreciate what you've got."

Being in that kind of environment imbued the running back with a mentality that helped him excel on the field. The grittiness is one other Southwestern Athletic Conference school (SWAC) alums know well. Because of that, Croskey-Merritt feels a "connection" to other players who made it to NFL after going to a SWAC, including fellow Commanders like Doug Williams, Trent Scott and Rob McDaniel.

"It's hard to make it to the NFL from a SWAC school," Croskey-Merritt said. "You had to really want it to get to the next level. You had to just see through all the negative things because you kind of know what the end goal is. You didn't mind just going through the struggle."

Going through that day-to-day is one reason why many of the 24-year-old's closest friends trace back to his time as a Hornet. For years, they've kept him motivated and laughing (their group chat is ablaze every day). They are among his biggest fans and a reminder of humble beginnings blooming into his wildest dreams.

"Those guys know the sacrifice that we did, it's nothing but love," Croskey-Merritt said. "They love seeing me out there, and they're just happy somebody get to play on Sundays, so that's kind of special. Few people are able to make it to the NFL, just period. It just gives me that chip on my shoulder, like, you just can't take it for granted because everybody doesn't get this opportunity."