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Brock Bowers Explains How Seasoned Competitor Maxx Crosby Probably Cheats to Win in Practice
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Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 22:20 GMT by The Sports Rush🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Brock Bowers Breaks Down How Maxx Crosby “Cheats” the System in Practice
When a college standout meets an NFL veteran, the difference isn’t just in size or speed – it’s in the way each player thinks about the game. That was the lesson the University of Kentucky running back Brock Bowers learned when he watched former Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxx Crosby during a practice session that ended up becoming a “playbook” moment for Bowers.
In a candid interview with The Sports Rush (link: https://thesportsrush.com/nfl-news-brock-bowers-explains-how-seasoned-competitor-maxx-crosby-probably-cheats-to-win-in-practice/), Bowers recounts a week of hard work on the college field, preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft after a standout senior season. He was in the midst of a conditioning drill – a 20‑meter sprint followed by a tackle simulation – when Maxx Crosby, who had joined the Kentucky coaching staff as an assistant for the practice squad, made a move that would become a talking point for the entire athletic department.
The “Cheat” in Practice
Bowers was sprinting toward a tackle line set up by the coaching staff. Maxx Crosby, positioned a few yards ahead, was not just a defender in this drill. He was a seasoned professional who had already beaten 2024‑draft‑eligible running backs on the field. Bowers recalls that as he approached Crosby, the veteran defender suddenly shifted his weight, moved his hands in a way that was almost pre‑scripted, and, in the final seconds of the drill, seemed to “cheat” by using the ball as a decoy.
“We’re talking about something that most of us don’t even notice,” Bowers said. “Crosby was using a hand‑to‑hand technique that makes it look like he’s just using his arms to get the tackle, but he was actually using a trick to anticipate the ball and put his body in the right place.” He added that Crosby’s experience had taught him that in real game situations the ball is often hidden in a defender’s pocket, and the way he positions himself during practice can create the illusion that he’s out‑of‑place and “cheating.”
For Bowers, who had spent the past two seasons mastering a blocking scheme against elite defenders, the moment was a revelation. “It’s one thing to block a defender who’s trying to take you out, but it’s a whole other thing to be able to anticipate the ball’s trajectory, read the defender’s positioning and still make the tackle,” he noted.
Why the “Cheat” Works
The technique Bowers refers to is not a “cheat” in the sense of breaking the rules – it’s a skill honed over years of practice, observation, and learning from others. Maxx Crosby’s NFL experience means he has seen dozens of offensive schemes and how ball carriers try to hide the ball. By reading the carrier’s body language and the defender’s own posture, Crosby can make a split‑second decision on where to position himself. He can also use a “hand‑to‑hand” gesture – a subtle push or block on the ball carrier’s shoulder – that draws the defender in before the ball emerges. For Bowers, the trick was a reminder of why the college game is different from the NFL: “At the college level, you’re still learning to read the ball. At the pro level, it’s almost instinctive.”
The idea that a seasoned competitor can “cheat” is echoed in the ESPN.com profile of Maxx Crosby (link: https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13645/maxx-crosby), where his defensive IQ and anticipation skills are highlighted. In his own words during a 2023 interview, Crosby admitted that “experience is the best teacher,” and he uses that experience to get an edge in every drill.
Impact on Bowers’ Game
Bowers, who has been projected as a potential late‑round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is taking the lessons from Maxx Crosby to heart. In a separate College Football News piece (link: https://www.collegefootballnews.com/2024/08/08/brock-bowers-pro-day-skyline-park), Bowers was praised for his explosive speed and vision, but he was also noted as a player who could improve his defensive reading ability. “This experience has taught me that I need to develop more than just my agility,” Bowers said. “I need to become better at reading defenders and knowing where the ball is going to be.”
The practical takeaway for Bowers was clear: “When I’m on the field, I need to learn how to anticipate the ball like Crosby did. That means not just running, but also looking at how the defender moves, what they’re trying to do, and where the ball is hiding.” In a 2025 NFL Combine preview (link: https://www.nfl.com/combines/2025), Bowers was already noted for his willingness to work on his blocking techniques and learn from NFL veterans.
Broader Lessons for Prospects
Bowers’ anecdote is a microcosm of what many young athletes learn as they transition from college to the pros. The “cheat” isn’t a trick – it’s an advanced skill that comes from experience, practice, and a deep understanding of the game. For the University of Kentucky’s offensive line, the lesson was simple: the next time they line up in a drill, they’ll look to Maxx Crosby’s example and try to mimic his body positioning to create that same sense of inevitability.
For fans, the moment captured by The Sports Rush shows why the NFL is so much more than just raw talent. It’s about learning, anticipating, and mastering small nuances that can be the difference between a successful tackle and a missed opportunity. And for Brock Bowers, it’s a reminder that while speed and vision are critical, reading the defender’s mind can be just as valuable – and that “cheating” in practice might actually be the best way to win in the game.
Read the Full The Sports Rush Article at:
[ https://thesportsrush.com/nfl-news-brock-bowers-explains-how-seasoned-competitor-maxx-crosby-probably-cheats-to-win-in-practice/ ]
