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Mason Crosby | Kicker | Colorado | 6'1" - 212 lbs.
OVERVIEW
When it comes to the art of kicking off, few players in the collegiate or professional ranks boast
the leg strength that Crosby has. The holder of thirty-one school game, season and career
records, he closed out his tenure as Colorado's all-time scorer with 307 points.
While some skeptics cite the thin air in the Mile High City for the success of kickers in the Denver
area, Crosby has proven time and again that he can be just as successful at "sea level" and with
his power and follow-through, records at the professional level could soon be in jeopardy.
As a senior at Georgetown High School, Crosby earned first-team All-District 13-5A honors as a
placekicker, punter and free safety, adding All-Central Texas as a kicker. Prep Star named him to
its All-Midlands team, while Rivals.com ranked him as the third-best place-kicker in the nation. He
was first-team All-District and second-team All-Region at kicker as a junior.
During his final season, Crosby converted 7-of-11 field goals (long of 59) and 23-of-25 extra point
kicks. He owned a 39.8-yard average for 40 punts (61 long), with ten kicks being downed inside
the 20-yard line, including five inside the 5-yard marker. At free safety, he recorded 78 tackles (26
solos), eight for losses, three interceptions, three passes broken up, three forced fumbles and two
recoveries.
In the Cedar Park High game during his senior year, he made the longest field goal in Texas prep
football in eight years, when he drilled a career-best 59-yarder; it tied him for the third longest in
state history. He also had a 61-yard punt in the game. In the Round Rock clash that year, he had
seven tackles and two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown and kicking the PAT following
the score.
As a junior, Crosby made 8-of-10 field goals (52 long) and 17-of-20 PATs (all misses were
blocked). He averaged 37.2 yards on 60 punts (64 long), with eight inside-the-20. He had 58
tackles (25 solos, 10 for losses), with three interceptions, four pass deflections, three hurries and
two fumble recoveries. His best career games included vs. Copperas Cove as a junior, when he
made three field goals (52, 46 and 39 yards) against a team that came in with five straight
shutouts.
Georgetown High was 5-5 his senior year and 6-4 his junior season under coach Larry Moore. He
also earned two letters in soccer (defense/midfielder), receiving All-District honors as both a
sophomore (14 goals) and junior (17 goals).
Crosby, a single-digit handicap golfer, has good athletic roots. His father, Jim, was a fullback at
Texas-El Paso and his grandfather, Harry, ran track at Marshall. Having spent two years in the
Fort Collins region as a youngster, he became an avid Colorado Buffalo fan, making his decision
easy during the prep recruiting wars.
Crosby enrolled at the University of Colorado in 2003. He was only the second true freshman to
handle the placekicking chores in a CU season opener in school history, and only the fifth to see
any action, period. He set a Colorado record for the most points scored by a freshman with 52
(the old record of 48 was shared by two players). The talented first-year performer connected on
31-of-37 PATs and 7-of-9 field goals. Only ten of his 37 kickoffs were returned, with 26 being
ruled touchbacks, as seventeen of those boots sailed clear out of the end zone.
In 2004, Crosby was the unanimous first-team All-Big Twelve Conference selection and a semi-
finalist for the Lou Groza Award, earning second-team All-American honors from The NFL Draft
Report and Rivals.com. He led the NCAA in field goals made from 50-plus yards with six (topping
Ohio State's Mike Nugent, the Groza winner, who had five), and hit on 23-of-29 three-pointers for
the season (19-of-23 during the regular season, 4-of-6 in the bowl game).
Crosby led the conference and was sixth in the nation in field goals made per game (1.77), and
became just the tenth player in NCAA history to make a 60-yard or longer field goal without a tee
when he nailed a 60-yarder against Iowa State, the longest in the nation in 2004. He also kicked
the game-winning field goal in that game, doing so again in the Colorado State and Washington
State contests.
As a junior, Crosby was runner-up for the Lou Groza Award (by just six points to Oregon State's
Alexis Serna). He became the first placekicker in Colorado history to earn first-team All-American
honors and was the unanimous selection for first-team All-Big Twelve Conference honors, adding
league Special Teams Player of the Year accolades. Crosby put together an amazing list of accomplishments for the season, the crown jewel being a
58-yard field goal at Miami, the longest ever at sea level (7 feet) without a kicking tee in NCAA
Division I-A history. He led the team in scoring with 94 points, converting all 31 PAT kicks (he has
made 38 consecutive) and 21-of-28 field goals. He also led the nation in the average distance per
field goal made at an astounding 41.2 yards. In addition, only 18 of his 61 kickoffs were returned,
with 33 of his 43 touchbacks going out of the end zone. Six games were decided in Colorado's
favor, thanks to Crosby's field goal exploits.
The nation's premier placekicker, as evidenced by Crosby earning first-team All-American
honors, he was strangely relegated to semi-finalist activity on the Lou Groza Award voting. One of
three team captains, he became the seventh player in Colorado history to be named first-team
All-Big Twelve Conference three times. He connected on 19-of-28 field goals, though most of the
misses were from long range; he was a solid 17-of-19 inside 50 yards, as good as any one in the
country (one of the two misses was blocked), as he finished with 74 points scored.
One of his failed field goals just missed sailing through the upright, a 65-yard attempt vs. Iowa
State. "I was a little disappointed about it, I hit it about as good as I thought I could I just got a little
too much height. You usually don't complain about height, but I needed a little more drive and a
little less height. Hopefully I'll get another chance next year in the NFL."
Crosby also kicked off 43 times, with only 15 of his attempts being returned. Asked about his
kickoff success and the high amount of touchbacks he produced (137 of 200 kickoffs), he matter-
of-factly replied, "I don't usually think about not kicking it for a touchback but I always try to get
good height. So if it doesn't go for a touchback then at least it sets up our coverage team in good
position to prevent a good return."
Crosby closed out his career by becoming the first Colorado placekicker to play in the Senior
Bowl, where he scored nine points in the game helping the North to a 27-0 win (3-3 PAT, 2-2 FG,
from 38 and 21 yards). He holds the school record for kickers by playing in 48 games. He is the
school's all-time scorer with 307 points, connecting on 66-88 field goals (75.0%) and 109-of-117
extra point tries. He was successful on 19-of-25 three points from the 40-49 yard range, 11-of-20
from 50-59 yards and made one of four tries from beyond 60 yards. He also had just 63 of 203
kickoffs returned, as 138 were ruled touchbacks and 88 went out of the end zone.
CAREER NOTES
Crosby established a total of 31 school game, season and career records, including the most
games played by a kicking specialist (48)...He holds the Colorado all-time records for points
scored (307), field goals made (66), field goals attempted (88), extra points made (109), extra
point attempts (117), field goal percentage (75.0) and longest field goal made (60 yards)...His
field goals attempted, field goals made and field goal percentage all set Big Twelve Conference
career-records...Made 12 career field goals of 50 yards or longer (the previous record had been
three), as he owns nine of the fourteen longest kicks in CU history, including a 60-yarder vs. Iowa
State in 2004...Also excelled in late game heroics, making a name for himself in the clutch: as he
was 14-of-18 in the fourth quarter, including 12-of-14 in the final 91/2 minutes with nine kicks of 41
yards or longer and seven of them with the score of the game within six points...His only misses
came his senior year: a 63-yard try against Montana State as CU tried to rally in the waning
minutes (2 yards short) and a 65-yard try in a bid to tie the NCAA record without a tee against
Iowa State (27-inches short)...In addition, he kicked off 203 times, with 138 going for touchbacks
(88 through the end zone), all school records, with the average starting yard-line of the opponent
its 22 after his kicks (20 of 61 returned against him were not brought out beyond the 20)...In the
postseason, he finished fourth all-time in scoring with 19 points in bowls (5-of-7 FG, 4-of-4
PAT)...He was named Big Twelve Conference Player of the Week nine times, a school record for
one player...The only players in football history (college or pro) to kick longer field goals at sea
level that did not use a tee besides Crosby's 58-yarder vs. Miami in 2005 were Tom Demsey of
the New Orleans Saints (63 vs. Detroit in 1970) and Morten Anderson of New Orleans (vs.
Chicago in 1991).
2006 SEASON
All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, Pro Football Weekly and the Walter
Camp Foundation, adding third-team honors from the Associated Press...All-Big Twelve
Conference first-team choice for the third consecutive year...Semi-finalist for the Lou Groza
Award...One of three kicking specialist in the NCAA Division 1-A ranks to serve as a team
captain in 2006, joining Brendan Carney of Syracuse and Reagan Schneider of Texas-El
Paso...Had two of the longest field goal attempts in college football for the season - a 65-yarder
vs. Iowa State and a 63-yarder vs. Montana State...Scored 74 points on 19-of-27 field goals
(70.4%) and 17-of-17 extra point attempts...Six of his misses were on long-range attempts (three
from 50-59 yards, three from past 60 yards)...Only 15 of his 43 kickoffs were returned, as 27
were ruled touchbacks and eleven of those went out of the end zone...The oppositions average
starting point after Crosby's kickoffs were at the 22-yard line...Became the first Colorado
placekicker to play in the Senior Bowl, scoring nine points (two field goals of 21 & 38 yards, three
PATs) in that game.
2005 SEASON
Became the first Colorado placekicker to earn consensus All-American first-team honors
(Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, The NFL Draft Report, SI.com, Walter Camp and Rivals.com.)...Runner-up for the Lou Groza Award (by
just six points to Oregon State's Alexis Serna)...Unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference first-team
choice and named Special Teams Player of the Year by the league's coaches...Earned first-team
All-Colorado team honors from the state's chapter of the National Football Foundation, which also
selected him as the state's Special Teams Player of the Year...Earned Big Twelve Player of the
Week honors vs. Colorado State, Miami, Kansas State and Missouri (Texas Tech QB Kliff
Kingsbury ('02) is the only other Big Twelve player to receive league Player of the Week honors
at least four times in a season in league annals)...The CU coaches again selected him as the
recipient for the Bill McCartney Award for special teams achievement...Was just one of nine
players to earn his way on to Colorado's prestigious Victory Club list (minimum eight games with
a high productivity grade)...Scored a career-high 94 points, as he connected on 21-of-28 field
goals (75.0%) and made all 31 extra point tries...Successful on 8-of-11 three-pointers from the
40-49-yard range and was 5-of-7 from beyond 50 yards, including a long of 58 at Miami, Florida,
the longest field ever at sea level (7 feet) without a kicking tee in NCAA Division
I-A history...Led the nation in the average distance per field goal made at an astounding 41.2
yards...Strung together a school record ten-straight field goals made between the end of his
sophomore year and his junior season, in both of which he led the NCAA in field goals made from
50 yards or longer (six in 2004, five in 2005)...Of the five 50-plus he made on the season, four
came on the road.
2004 SEASON
Unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection...Semifinalist for the Lou Groza
Award...Earned second-team All-American accolades from The NFL Draft Report and
Rivals.com, adding honorable mention from Sports Illustrated...Led the NCAA in field goals made
from 50-plus yards with six (topping Ohio State's Mike Nugent, the Groza winner, who had five),
and connected on 19-of-23 field goals during the regular season (4-of-6 in the bowl game)...Led
the Big Twelve and was sixth in the nation in field goals made per game (1.77)...Scored 85
points, making 28-of-30 PATs...Only 17 of his 59 kickoffs were returned, with 26 of his 41
touchbacks going out of the end zone...The opponent average starting yard-line after all his kicks
was the 21...Earned Big Twelve Player of the Week honors vs. Iowa State and Nebraska...Won
the Bill McCartney Award, given to the team's most outstanding special teams player as selected
by the coaches...One of just ten players to earn his way on CU's prestigious Victory Club.
2003 SEASON
One of only two true freshman to ever handle placekicking chores at Colorado in the season
opener...Set a Colorado record for the most points scored by a freshman with 52 (the old record
of 48 was shared by two players), as he connected on on 7-of-9 field goals and 31-of-37 extra
point attempts...Only ten of his 37 kickoffs were returned, as 17 sailed out of the end
zone...Made his first five career field goals, one shy of the school record.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.2 in the 40-yard dash...Right-footed soccer-style kicker...Right-handed...29-inch arm length...8
1/2-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Georgetown (Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Larry Moore...
Earned first-team All-District 13-5A honors as a placekicker, punter and free safety, adding All-
Central Texas as a kicker...Prep Star named him to its All-Midlands team, while Rivals.com
ranked him as the third-best placekicker in the nation...First-team All-District and second-team
All-Region at kicker as a junior...During his final season, Crosby converted 7-of-11 field goals
(long of 59) and 23-of-25 extra point kicks...Owned a 39.8-yard average for 40 punts (61 long),
with ten kicks being downed inside the 20-yard line, including five inside the 5-yard marker...At
free safety, he recorded 78 tackles (26 solos), eight for losses, three interceptions, three passes
broken up, three forced fumbles and two recoveries...In the Cedar Park High game during his
senior year, he made the longest field goal in Texas prep football in eight years, when he drilled a
career-best 59-yarder; it tied him for the third longest in state history. He also had a 61-yard punt
in the game...In the Round Rock clash that year, he had seven tackles and two interceptions,
returning one for a touchdown and kicking the PAT following the score...As a junior, Crosby
made 8-of-10 field goals (52 long) and 17-of-20 PATs (all misses were blocked)...Averaged 37.2
yards on 60 punts (64 long), with eight inside-the-20. He had 58 tackles (25 solos, 10 for losses),
with three interceptions, four pass deflections, three hurries and two fumble recoveries... His best
career games included vs. Copperas Cove as a junior, when he made three field goals (52, 46
and 39 yards) against a team that came in with five straight shutouts...The team was 5-5 his
senior year and 6-4 his junior season...Also earned two letters in soccer (defense/midfielder),
receiving All-District honors as both a sophomore (14 goals) and junior (17 goals).
PERSONAL
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication in December 2006...Single-digit handicap
golfer. Many kickers have interesting rituals or superstitions; his is to hit at least 60 golf balls at a
driving range two days before a game...Very active in his community, including local mission and
church youth group work...Father, Jim, was a fullback at Texas-El Paso in the mid-
1970s...Grandfather, Harry Crosby, ran track at Marshall...Born in Lubbock,
Texas...Resides in Georgetown, Texas.
| PLACEKICKING STATISTICS |
| Year |
FGA |
FGM |
EPA |
EPM |
POINTS |
LONG |
0-29 |
30-39 |
40-49 |
50-59 |
60+ |
| 2003 |
9 |
7 |
37 |
31 |
52 |
44 |
4/4 |
0/0 |
4/3 |
1/0 |
0/0 |
| 2004 |
23 |
19 |
30 |
28 |
85 |
60 |
6/6 |
5/5 |
5/3 |
6/4 |
1/1 |
| 2005 |
28 |
21 |
31 |
31 |
94 |
58 |
4/3 |
6/5 |
11/8 |
7/5 |
0/0 |
| 2006 |
28 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
76 |
56 |
6/5 |
8/7 |
5/5 |
5/2 |
3/0 |
| Total |
88 |
66 |
117 |
109 |
307 |
60 |
20/18 |
19/17 |
25/19 |
20/11 |
4/1 |
| KICKOFFS |
| Year |
NO |
RET |
TB |
EZ |
OB |
OSY |
| 2003 |
37 |
10 |
26 |
17 |
1 |
23 |
| 2004 |
59 |
17 |
41 |
26 |
0 |
21 |
| 2005 |
61 |
18 |
43 |
33 |
0 |
22 |
| 2006 |
46 |
17 |
28 |
12 |
1 |
22 |
| Total |
203 |
62 |
138 |
88 |
2 |
22 |
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: Made two solo tackles in 2003...Had a 43-yard punt in 2006.
Bios courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com
distributed by The Sports Xchange
© Copyright 2006/07 - All Rights Reserved
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