A. J. Cruz

Last updated

A.J. Cruz
A.J. Cruz.png
Cruz with the Arizona Rattlers in 2015
Personal information
Born: (1991-02-20) February 20, 1991 (age 33)
Lake Forest, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Catholic
College: Brown
Position: Wide receiver
Undrafted: 2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career Arena statistics
Receptions-Yds-TDs:32-244-6
Rushing-Yds-TDs:11-46-3
Tackles:66.0
Return yards:2,584
Return touchdowns:7
Player stats at PFR  ·  ArenaFan.com

A. J. Cruz (born February 20, 1991) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football for Brown University.

Contents

Early life

Cruz attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School, in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He lettered in both football and basketball. As a football player, Cruz was named a two time All-Trinity League selection, and holds three school records for longest kick off return for a Touch Down (97 yards), highest kickoff return average (34 yards) and highest vertical jump (37 inches). Cruz helped lead his schools basketball team to a state championship, and was named to the California Scholarship Federation. [1]

College career

Cruz attended Brown University. As a freshman, Cruz earned Second-team All-Ivy Honors. As a sophomore, Cruz was selected for First-team All-Ivy Honors, while registering 2 interceptions and ranked second in both punt and kickoff returns. [1]

In his senior season, Cruz earned First-team All-American honors. Cruz is one of 41 players in Ivy League history to earn First-team All-Ivy three times.[ citation needed ]

Professional career

Los Angeles KISS

Cruz joined the Los Angeles KISS in 2014. He returned 58 kickoffs for 1,305 yards in 11 games his rookie season. [2] He was placed on recallable reassignment on March 13, 2015. [3]

Arizona Rattlers

In the middle of the 2015 season, Cruz signed with the Arizona Rattlers.

Chicago Bears

On July 27, 2015, the Bears signed Cruz to a three-year deal. [4] On September 5, 2015, he was waived/injured by the Bears. [5]

Miami Dolphins

On February 18, 2016, the Dolphins signed Cruz to a deal. On August 27, 2016, he was waived by the Dolphins. [6]

Calgary Stampeders

Cruz signed with the Calgary Stampeders on May 17, 2017. He was released on June 17, 2017. [7]

Edmonton Eskimos

Cruz was signed to the practice roster of the Edmonton Eskimos on October 26, 2017. [8] He was released on May 1, 2018. [9]

Related Research Articles

Siddeeq Muneer Shabazz is an American former professional football safety and linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football at New Mexico State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Medlock</span> American football player (born 1983)

Justin Charles Medlock is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus All-American honors in 2006. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. Medlock also played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers, as well as the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.

Jermaine Jones is a former American football defensive specialist in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Dallas Desperados. He also was a member of the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL); and the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Northwestern State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Carr (gridiron football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1985)

Greg Carr is a former professional arena football wide receiver. After playing college football at Florida State, Carr was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Carr has also been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders, Orlando Predators, and Washington Valor. In June 2020, Carr was hired as the Head Football Coach at North Marion High School in Citra, FL.

Anthony Lawrence Parker is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders and played with that organization for seven years, winning a Grey Cup championship in 2014. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Okoye</span> British discus thrower and American football player (born 1991)

Lawrence Okoye is a British track and field athlete and former American football defensive tackle. He is the British record holder in the discus event. Okoye became the first ever British athlete to win a medal in Discus at a European Championships during Munich 2022. He has also played rugby union.

Terrell Manning is a former American football linebacker. Manning was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round, 163rd overall, in the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football at North Carolina State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter McCoil</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1991)

Dexter McCoil Sr. is a gridiron football coach and former safety, who is the current defensive coordinator for the Texas State Bobcats. He played college football at Tulsa. McCoil played professionally for the Los Angeles Kiss, Edmonton Eskimos, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Calgary Stampeders, St. Louis BattleHawks and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Stafford</span> American football player (born 1990)

Kenny Stafford is a gridiron football wide receiver who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In the United States, he has been a member of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Pittsburgh Power (AFL) and Miami Dolphins (NFL). In the CFL, Stafford has been a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He is the nephew of former American football wide receiver and 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmad Dixon</span> American football player (born 1991)

Ahmad D'shaad Dixon is an American football safety who is a free agent. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Baylor.

Sederrik Cunningham is a former American football wide receiver. Cunningham played college football at Furman University and attended Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Florida. He has been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos. Currently working as pass game coordinator for Prince George Kodiaks

Deon L. Lacey is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of West Alabama. He has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Edmonton Eskimos / Elks, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Troy Stoudermire is an American former professional football defensive back and return specialist. He is the all-time FBS leader in kickoff return yards. He played college football at Minnesota. Stoudermire was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, and Ottawa Redblacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duke Williams (wide receiver)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

D'haquille "Duke" Williams is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Auburn. After going undrafted and spending the 2016 offseason with the Los Angeles Rams, he made his professional debut in 2017 with the Edmonton Eskimos. Williams became one of the CFL's most dominant receiving threats, leading the league in receiving in 2018. Following his second season in the CFL, he returned to the United States for another shot at playing in the National Football League. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Alford</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Mario Alford is an American professional football wide receiver and Return specialist for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2014.

Trey Williams is an American football running back who is a free agent. He signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Williams has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Toronto Argonauts, San Antonio Commanders, Seattle Dragons, Calgary Stampeders, New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers. He played college football at Texas A&M.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Morris (Canadian football)</span> Canadian football player (born 1992)

Greg Morris is a former professional Canadian football running back. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at New Mexico Military Institute. He also played junior football for the Westshore Rebels of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Dennis</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Derek Dennis is an American professional gridiron football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Temple. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Arizona Rattlers, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, New York Guardians, and Edmonton Elks.

Christion Jones is an American former college and professional football kick returner and running back. He played college football at Alabama, and professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Williams (running back)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Terry Williams is an American former professional football running back. He most recently played for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Kutztown Golden Bears.

References

  1. 1 2 "12 - AJ Cruz". www.brownbears.com. Brown University. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ "AJ Cruz". www.arenafootball.com. Arena Football League. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  4. ↑ Jeff Dickerson (July 28, 2015). "Bears sign DL David Carter, WR AJ Cruz". ESPN . ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ Mayer, Larry (September 5, 2015). "Bears make cuts to reduce roster to 53". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Dolphins make roster moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2016. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018.
  7. ↑ "TRANSACTIONS -2017". stampeders.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ "ESKIMOS TRANSACTION". goelks.com. October 26, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Edmonton Eskimos Transactions". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.