Enrique Cruz

GOLDEN NUGGETS:

• Began playing football in the 5th grade but had to play up with 8th graders due to his size, which led him to focus on basketball until he joined his high school football team.

PERSONAL:

• Attended Willowbrook (Chicago, IL) High School.
• Graduated with a degree in communications from Syracuse and earned a certificate in project management from Kansas.
• Born Enrique Antonio Cruz Jr. (8/4/03) in Chicago, IL, to Vanessa Garcia.

COLLEGE:

• Appeared in 36 games (30 starts) over 5 seasons at Kansas (2025) and Syracuse (2021- 24).
• In 2025 at Kansas, started all 12 games he appeared in, earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors.
• In 2024 at Syracuse, appeared in 3 games.
• In 2023, started all 13 games he appeared in.
• In 2022, appeared in 8 games (5 starts).
• Redshirted in 2021 at Syracuse.

GOLDEN NUGGETS:

• Began playing football in the 5th grade but had to play up with 8th graders due to his size, which led him to focus on basketball until he joined his high school football team.

PERSONAL:

• Attended Willowbrook (Chicago, IL) High School.
• Graduated with a degree in communications from Syracuse and earned a certificate in project management from Kansas.
• Born Enrique Antonio Cruz Jr. (8/4/03) in Chicago, IL, to Vanessa Garcia.

COLLEGE:

• Appeared in 36 games (30 starts) over 5 seasons at Kansas (2025) and Syracuse (2021- 24).
• In 2025 at Kansas, started all 12 games he appeared in, earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors.
• In 2024 at Syracuse, appeared in 3 games.
• In 2023, started all 13 games he appeared in.
• In 2022, appeared in 8 games (5 starts).
• Redshirted in 2021 at Syracuse.