A. J. Cruz

American gridiron football player (born 1991)

American football player
A.J. Cruz
refer to caption
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
  • Los Angeles KISS (2014)
  • Arizona Rattlers (2015)
  • Chicago Bears (2015)*
  • Miami Dolphins (2016)*
  • Calgary Stampeders (2017)*
  • Edmonton Eskimos (2017)*
 * 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.

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]

References

  1. ^ a b "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.
  • Brown Bears bio