Don’t be surprised if rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt ends the 2025 season as one of the Washington Commanders‘ most popular players.

Not only does “Bill” have a unique background, but he’s also an underdog who has worked for everything. He won’t let being a seventh-round pick in the NFL draft prevent him from making it in the NFL. Besides a unique nickname, more on that in a second, Croskey-Merritt is an outstanding talent.

Here’s what Washington coach Dan Quinn said about Croskey-Merritt recently.

“I think it’s the violence of the cuts that he can get his shoulders square and get downhill fast,” Quinn said. “So, I’m very excited to see once we get into some opportunities, does he get tackled? Does he not? Does he run through some? But he’s off to a really good start.”

Croskey-Merritt was a zero-star recruit coming out of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He had no FBS offers, so he signed with FCS Alabama State. After a successful career at Alabama State, Croskey-Merritt wanted to play at a higher level, hoping to catch the eyes of the NFL. He transferred to New Mexico, rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. He still had one year of eligibility remaining and Arizona came calling. Croskey-Merritt transferred to the Wildcats and was poised for a big year.

That’s where the NCAA got in the way. After only game with Arizona, a game where Croskey-Merritt rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, the NCAA ruled him ineligible. The NCAA had determined that Croskey-Merritt played more games than allowed during a redshirt year. Just like that, his college career was over. He wouldn’t have the opportunity to show NFC scouts that he could dominate at the Power Four level. Instead of quitting the team and training, Croskey-Merritt stayed with the team and supported them every week.

After a recent training camp practice, Croskey-Merritt explained his motivation to Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington.

“That motivation comes from me just knowing what I have in myself,” the rookie said. “Just knowing I was good enough to be with those guys, but I never looked at anyone else’s race. I just kinda ran my own race. Just stayed down and kept working.”

So, why does everyone call him Bill?

“I got the nickname Bill from having a bald head when I was little,” Croskey-Merritt said in this YouTube video from the University of Arizona. “I used to have a low haircut, so people joked on me and said I looked like the character Little Bill. So it just stuck with me.”

Washington has two running backs guaranteed to make the 53-man roster: Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Croskey-Merritt will battle Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. for either one or two spots, depending on how many running backs the Commanders keep. You have to like Croskey-Merritt’s chances. Washington GM Adam Peters and assistant GM Lance Newmark, as well as some of the coaches, including Quinn, all light up when discussing “Bill.”

There are plenty of reasons why Croskey-Merritt will soon become a fan favorite.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: What do the Commanders have in rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt?