Eastern Michigan University has hired Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby to serve as the assistant general manager for the football team, it announced Monday. In returning to his alma mater, he becomes the first active professional football player to join a college team’s administrative staff.
According to Eastern Michigan football’s social media announcement, Crosby will be tasked with scouting high school players and ‘boosting [their] NIL & recruiting game.’ ESPN also reported that the Raiders’ star will ‘serve as Special Assistant to the AD on fundraising, alumni relations and student-athlete support.’
Crosby played football for the Eastern Michigan Eagles from 2015 to 2018 and is a member of the school’s Ring of Honor. The school renamed its playing field at Rynearson Stadium ‘Crosby Field’ after the Raiders’ star made a $1 million donation.
Earlier this offseason, Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension that included $91.5 million guaranteed. At the time, it made the 27-year-old the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, a mark which has since been surpassed by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles finished the 2024 season with a 5-7 record, including a 2-6 mark in MAC play. According to 247 Sports, their 2025 recruiting class is ranked 108th in the nation, and they have one hard commit in the 2026 class: wide receiver Shawn Fishwick.