North Carolina A&T

DJ Crossen became a graduate assistant for defensive backs under head coach Shawn Gibbs on August 4, 2025.

Crossen’s mere presence is an inspiration. Crossen graduated from Dudley High School, located 2 ½ miles from the campus of North Carolina A&T State University. He graduated from the high school’s Early College Academy in 2017 as a highly recruited 4-star defensive back, who chose to play college football at Virginia Tech. After leaving Virginia Tech following the 2018 season, Crossen transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College before deciding to sign and play with the Aggies in 2020. The COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 season.

After the pandemic, Crossen came into the 2021 season expecting to have a major impact for an Aggies team entering their first-ever season in the Big South Conference after spending 50 years in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). He came into the first game at Furman as the starter at the cornerback position. However, on Furman’s third offensive play of the game, Crossen laid a hit on Furman’s Ryan Miller. Crossen lay motionless after the hit, causing a lengthy delay in the game.

Crossen sustained a severe brain injury that caused a major scare. Crossen fought and survived the injury even though the play did cost Crossen his career. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in speech communications from North Carolina A&T, and he is pursuing his master’s degree. The injury ended what could have been a promising football career for Crossen. Coming out of Dudley. A consensus 4-star recruit, Crossen was the 15^th-ranked overall player in the state and the No. 1 cornerback in North Carolina.

He was selected in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. He went to Virginia Tech as a two-time All-Area selection by HSXtra.com and a two-time All-State selection by the Greensboro News & Record. As a senior in 2017, he made 57 tackles, two interceptions, and blocked two punts, while leading Dudley to a 10-3 record and a spot in the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Class 3-AA East Playoffs. The prior season, he helped the Panthers claim the state championship.