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04/09/2012
Defensive Continunity Is Key For Cross
The Jackets hope to make big strides in defensive coordinator Al Groh's third year
10/12/2011
Washington Named To Maxwell Award Watch List
Five Yellow Jackets now on watch lists for individual national awards
10/10/2011
Keep On Truckin'
The Yellow Jackets defense looks to keep moving forward next Saturday at Virginia
10/08/2011
Brothers In Harm
Defense steps up with absence of starters Attaochu, Drummond
Could be one of the top defensive ends in the ACC... teams with senior Jason Peters to give Tech solid bookend returning starters at defensive end... has the skills and attitude to flourish in Tech's 3-4 defense... played as a true freshman in Tech's ACC championship season of 2009 and showed great potential... a high effort player who chases plays down from the backside and downfield well into the fourth quarter... has good pass-rushing moves... strong at the point of attack.
2010 (Sophomore): Started all 13 games... recorded 41 tackles (22 solo tackles)... had 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble... had at least five tackles in each of the first four games of the season... had five tackles in the season opener vs. South Carolina State (Sept. 4)... registered a career-high seven tackles at Kansas (Sept. 11)... was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance at North Carolina (Sept. 18)... his sack late in the fourth quarter helped preserve a key road win over the Tar Heels and he added five tackles and a forced fumble on the day... had five tackles (four solo tackles) and a sack vs. NC State (Sept. 25)... recorded five tackles in the Independence Bowl against Air Force.
2009 (Freshman)
Played a key role as a true freshman... played in 13 games and started two games... had 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery... had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry at Duke (Nov. 14)... recorded three tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery at Vanderbilt (Oct. 31)... was in the starting lineup against Florida State (Oct. 10) and Virginia Tech (Oct. 17)... had one tackle including a half-tackle for loss in the win over Virginia Tech... recorded a pair of tackles at Mississippi State (Oct. 3).
High School
Flowery Branch High School... ranked #57 in his position by Scout, #28 by ESPN and
#18 by Rivals... GHSA 3A Defensive Player of the Year... first team all-state GHSA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution... recorded 13 sacks in 2008 along with 115 tackles and 20 tackles for loss... had 80 tackles, 14 for a loss and four fumble recoveries as a junior... played for coach Lee Shaw... earned two varsity letters playing defensive end and tight end, and served one year as team captain... led FBHS to the state championship game in 2008.
Personal
One of three Flowery Branch High School alumns on the Tech roster, joining Jaybo Shaw
and Daniel Drummond... chose Tech because it is close to home, his connection with
the coaches and the school's academic reputation... received offers from UCF, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, NC State, Oklahoma and South Carolina... full name is Izaan Thomas Cross... began prep career at Buford HS before transferring to Flowery Branch... son of Tim and Sharon Cross... Tim played football at Livingstone and Sharon played basketball on the junior college level... born May 1, 1991 in Boston... previously lived in Framingham, Mass., and Marietta, Ga... started playing football at age nine... considering a major in business management.
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 7 at Kansas, Sept. 11, 2010
TFL: 2.0 vs. South Carolina State, Sept. 4, 2010
Sacks: 1.0 at North Carolina, Sept. 18, 2010; 1.0 vs. NC State, Sept. 25, 2010
FC: 1 at North Carolina, Sept. 18, 2010
FR: 1 at Vanderbilt, Oct. 31, 2009
PB: 2 at Wake Forest, Oct. 2, 2010
