Charles Ellis Cross Bio
Charles Ellis Cross, born on November 25, 2000, is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 144 kilograms, he plays a critical role in protecting the quarterback and anchoring the offensive line. Cross played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs before being selected ninth overall by the Seahawks in the 2022 NFL draft.
As a first-round pick, Cross quickly became a fixture on Seattle’s offensive front and has continued to develop into one of the team’s most reliable linemen. His combination of size, athleticism, and technical skill has helped establish him as a long-term building block for the franchise.
Charles Ellis Cross Early Life and Background
Charles Ellis Cross was born and raised in Laurel, Mississippi, a small city known for its strong football tradition. Growing up in this environment gave him early and consistent exposure to the sport, allowing him to develop his skills on local fields throughout his childhood.
Cross attended Laurel High School, where he emerged as a promising offensive lineman. During his senior season, he initially committed to play college football at Florida State, signaling the high level of his recruitment. However, he later changed course and decommitted from Florida State, opting instead to sign with Mississippi State, the regional program closer to his hometown.
As a senior, Cross also earned an invitation to the 2018 All-American Bowl, one of the premier high school all-star games that showcase the nation’s top prospects. This recognition further confirmed his status as one of the leading offensive line recruits in his class.
Path to American Football
Cross’s journey to the professional level began at Laurel High School, where his size and footwork made him a natural fit for the offensive tackle position. His invitation to the 2018 All-American Bowl provided a national platform and helped solidify his reputation among college recruiters.
After decommitting from Florida State, Cross signed with Mississippi State, joining a Southeastern Conference program with a strong history of developing NFL-caliber linemen. The decision to remain closer to home allowed him to transition smoothly from high school competition to the rigors of college football.
His participation in the All-American Bowl and his eventual enrollment at Mississippi State marked the key milestones that launched his path toward the NFL draft.
Charles Ellis Cross Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Cross began his college career at Mississippi State, where he redshirted his true freshman season after appearing in just three games. This redshirt year allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game while preserving a year of eligibility.
Entering his redshirt freshman season, Cross was named the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle, a significant responsibility for a young player. He started 10 games that year and earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team, an honor that underscored his immediate impact. He followed that with a First-team All-SEC selection in 2021, cementing his status as one of the top offensive tackle prospects for the 2022 NFL draft before declaring for the league.
NFL Breakthrough with the Seattle Seahawks (2022-2023)
Cross was selected ninth overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. The pick was the first-round selection the Seahawks had acquired in the trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, marking a new era for the franchise. Acting as his own agent, Cross signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2022.
As a rookie, Cross appeared in and started all 17 regular-season games, plus one playoff game, demonstrating remarkable durability and consistency for a first-year player. In the 2023 season, he appeared in and started 14 games, continuing to be a steady presence on Seattle’s offensive line.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024-Present)
In the 2024 season, Cross started all 17 games, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable every-game lineman. His reliability helped anchor the offensive front during a transitional period for the Seahawks.
On April 28, 2025, the Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on Cross’s contract, keeping him under team control through the 2026 season. He will receive $17,560,000 for the 2026 season, a reflection of his value to the franchise and his continued development as a top-tier tackle.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cross’s career came on draft night in 2022, when he was selected ninth overall by Seattle, a pick acquired through the landmark Russell Wilson trade. Becoming an immediate starter as a rookie, appearing in all 17 games, set the tone for his professional trajectory. The 2025 decision to exercise his fifth-year option marked another milestone, confirming Seattle’s long-term commitment to him as a cornerstone of the offensive line.
Charles Ellis Cross Career Achievements
College Awards
During his time at Mississippi State, Cross earned several notable honors that highlighted his rapid development. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after his redshirt freshman season, when he started 10 games at left tackle.
Cross later earned First-team All-SEC recognition in 2021, a distinction that placed him among the elite offensive linemen in the conference and helped position him as a top prospect for the 2022 NFL draft.
Charles Ellis Cross Family
Personal Life
Charles Ellis Cross grew up in Laurel, Mississippi, where his family roots remain. He is known to keep much of his personal life private, with limited public details available about his family or relationships outside of football.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Charles Ellis Cross is firmly established as the Seahawks’ starting left tackle following the team’s decision to exercise his fifth-year option in April 2025. His consistent availability and steady play have made him a foundational piece of Seattle’s offensive line as the franchise continues to build around its young core.
With his contract now extended through 2026, Cross will be tasked with maintaining his high level of performance while helping protect the quarterback and anchor the run game. His proven durability, having started the vast majority of games since being drafted, makes him a reliable figure for the Seahawks’ long-term plans.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Cross’s combination of experience, physical tools, and technical refinement positions him as one of the key players to watch on Seattle’s offensive front.