2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jonathen Cross, DT, Wingate University

• Name: Jonathen Cross
• Position: Defensive Tackle
• College: Wingate University
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 295
• Twitter: @CrossJonathen
• Instagram: @0nly1_cr0ss

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The thing that makes me a top prospect at my position is my football IQ and my ability to retain and recognize habits from my opponent. I would also say my ability to change up how I attack the offensive linemen. I am able to hit you up with power then come at you with speed the next few reps. Also my ability to play both at DT and DE.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I look after those around me as if they are family. I treat everyone with respect.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

I would donate to little kids and their families that are not able to play sports and fulfill their dreams. I understand that coming up from a single parent household. After my parents split it is difficult to pay for bills and the cost of living and also having kids playing sports.

Who was your role model?

My role model is my sister. She is a grinder, she doesn’t let anything keep her down. There have been times where she has been beat up mentally and emotionally but she has never missed a beat. She doesn’t take no for an answer and finds a way. She is truly inspirational.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Atlanta Falcons

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Caleb Kelly. He was a backup QB at Wingate for most of his career but in my eyes a master of the game. He understood when to take risks and when to set you up for things 3 plays ahead. He was also a stand up guy. Always made sure the people around him were okay and taken care of.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Being late is definitely one of my biggest pet peeves. Being on time or even early was instilled into me by my parents. Then also playing football for the majority of my life, being late was a no go.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher ever is my high school English teacher Mrs.Henderson. She was strict when it came to her work, but that’s because she saw that it was important for us kids that we learn and understand the value of an education.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

This was the summer of 2022. I was informed that I was not going to be eligible for the upcoming season due to me being academically suspended from the school. Coach Reich who is now the AD told me that I can take summer classes but I would have to pay for them. At that moment I was at my lowest point in life. I felt like my dream was falling apart due to my own fault. So I took those classes past both with A+’s and got my GPA back to a 2.1. I still wasn’t in the clear. I had to pay for them. So from August 2022 to December 2022 I worked my butt off at Walmart to pay for those classes. When I got back into school that Spring I vowed to myself to never go down that path again and I graduated with a 3.1 GPA this past December.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Definitely Jersey Mike’s.

What is your favorite snack food?

The purple bag of Doritos hands down.

What is your degree in?

Bachelor’s of Science Sport Management

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Jesus, Kyrie Irving, and Martin Luther King Jr. Jesus because he is my lord and savor I just want to be in his presence. I said Kyrie because he is my favorite basketball player of all time. Also because he is very knowledgeable about life. He understands that there is more to life than just the sport he plays and that doesn’t make him who he is. Finally MLK because if he didn’t fight for what he believed in, I wouldn’t be here today. That all people no matter of race, color, or ethnic orientation are all treated equally as I am biracial.

What is your biggest weakness?

Sometimes I let self doubt creep into my mind.