MSU defensive back Cromwell looking forward to auditioning for pro football scouts

Devynn Cromwell’s speed and athleticism will be on full display for the next week.

The six-foot 200-pound defensive back was scheduled to participate in Michigan State’s pro day Thursday and will head to Edmonton for the CFL’s national combine March 27-29.

It’s a condensed schedule but the Toronto native is embracing the opportunity to audition before pro scouts on both sides of the border.

“I want to show scouts my athleticism, that’s a big part,” Cromwell said. “Showcasing my speed, explosiveness and agility.

“It’s a lot but I love the process. This only happens once and if you don’t enjoy it, it will all be behind you really fast so I’m enjoying every moment of it.”

Cromwell is certainly on the CFL’s radar. In December, the league’s scouting bureau ranked him 14th on its list of the top-20 prospects for the April 28 draft.

Impressive given Cromwell began playing football in Grade 11.

He appeared in all 12 of Michigan State’s games last season, starting one, after transferring from Texas Tech. Cromwell posted eight tackles (five solo) and also played on special teams.

Cromwell’s test scores won’t begin to shed light on his best asset: adaptability. Cromwell’s football journey has spanned three high schools and three universities – Guelph (2020-23), Texas Tech (2024) and Michigan State (2025).

That’s meant getting acclimated to new schools and cities but also playing for new coaches. He’s also had to line up at different positions, learn various schemes and play on different-sized fields and with unique rules.

“Adaptability is definitely a big thing,” Cromwell said. “You never know what’s going to be required of you, what your role will be and what they’re going to ask you to do.

“There’s also being able to adapt to an environment – from Guelph to Texas to Michigan, those are different environments. I went to Guelph as a corner, they wanted to play me halfback so I played halfback, then switched back to corner. I went to Texas Tech as a corner and they played me at safety. Being able to adapt and still play at a high level is important.”

Cromwell played three seasons at Guelph (2021-23), earning U Sports all-Canadian first- and second-team honours (2021, 2022 respectively) while being a second-team OUA all-star in 2023. He also qualified for the Canadian university track championships in the 60-metre sprint.

Cromwell transferred to Texas Tech in 2024, starting two of nine games he appeared in. He recorded 20 tackles (nine solo), of which 17 came in starts against Arizona and Baylor.

Cromwell received an extra year of eligibility in 2025 because he’d competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years. He transferred to Michigan State last summer.

At least Cromwell saw one familiar face in East Lansing, Mich. Malcolm Bell, a Montreal native who was Cromwell’s high school teammate at Clarkson Secondary School (Football North) in Mississauga, Ont., had transferred from UConn.

“We had chemistry because we’d played together before,” Cromwell said. “It was great having another Canadian there, another person who relates to your story and knows how to grind … he’s part of my story.”

Bell is also eligible for the ’28 CFL draft and was ranked No. 9 on the winter list.

But as much as Cromwell is looking forward to letting his physical abilities shine in Edmonton, he’s also keen to sit down with CFL officials.

“They’re going to see someone who cares deeply,” he said. “Not only about this sport but all the little things that have helped get me to where I am.

“Just the passion behind me, how much I care about the game, my team and my teammates.”

However, Cromwell wants to show he can play all positions in the secondary as well as special teams.

“I just love playing defensive back … wherever a team wants me is where I’ll be,” he said. “On special teams, I love to go out there and show my passion for the sport.

“People kind of overlook (special teams) but that’s a big part of the game and can change the outcome in an instant.”

Cromwell began dreaming about playing pro football in high school even though the first one he attended didn’t have a program. But 11 years later, Cromwell is looking forward to the CFL draft and taking that next step.

“I don’t really have a preference (which CFL team to play for),” he said. “Location doesn’t matter for me.

“It’s more about my fit on the team, who wants me and needs me the most.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19. 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press