Enrique Cruz Jr.
| No. 69 – San Francisco 49ers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Offensive tackle |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 4, 2003 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 313 lb (142 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Willowbrook (Villa Park, Illinois) |
| College | |
| NFL draft | 2026: 5th round, 179th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at ESPN | |
Enrique Cruz Jr. (born August 4, 2003) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and the Kansas Jayhawks and was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Early life and high school
Cruz Jr. attended Willowbrook High School located in Villa Park, Illinois. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports where he committed to play college football for the Syracuse Orange over offers from other schools such as Arizona, Indiana, Louisville, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Utah, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.[1]
College career
Syracuse
Cruz Jr. used the 2021 season to redshirt, as he did not appear in any games.[2] In the 2022 regular season finale, he was ejected after throwing multiple punches at defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku.[3] In the 2022 season, Cruz Jr. started five games at right and left tackle.[4] During the 2023 season, he took over as the Orange's starting left tackle, making all 13 starts.[5] After playing in just three games in 2024, Cruz Jr. entered the NCAA transfer portal after the conclusion of the season.[6]
Kansas
Cruz Jr. transferred to play for the Kansas Jayhawks.[7] He entered the 2025 season, as the Jayhawks starting right tackle, finishing the year making all 12 starts.[8] After the conclusion of the season, Cruz Jr. declared for the 2026 NFL draft, while also accepting an invite to participate in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.[9]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 5+1⁄2 in (1.97 m) |
313 lb (142 kg) |
33+3⁄4 in (0.86 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) |
6 ft 10+3⁄4 in (2.10 m) |
4.94 s | 1.74 s | 2.88 s | 35.0 in (0.89 m) |
9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) | |||
| All values from NFL Combine[10][11] | ||||||||||||
Cruz was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round with the 179th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.[12] On May 8, he signed his rookie deal with the 49ers.[13]
Personal life
Cruz is of Puerto Rican descent.[14]
References
- ^ Bailey, Stephen (September 7, 2020). "Syracuse football recruiting: OT Enrique Cruz becomes one of SU's top commits". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Leiker, Emily. "Enrique Cruz Jr. on NIL deal with Syracuse football fan tailgate: 'I just went for it'". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Leiker, Emily. "Syracuse offensive lineman Enrique Cruz ejected from Boston College game after throwing multiple punches". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ "Unpacking Future Packers: No. 8, Kansas OL Enrique Cruz Jr". Packers Wire. April 18, 2026. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Greenstein, Henry (August 10, 2025). "Offensive tackle Cruz was 'starstruck' from first glimpse of KU". KU Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Edmonds, Javon. "Syracuse football losing two more former starters to transfer portal". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Edmonds, Javon. "Syracuse offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. transfers to Kansas". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Oberhelman, Dave (January 18, 2026). "College Achievers: Willowbrook's Cruz working for a shot at the NFL Combine". Daily Herald. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ Laddha, Shreyas. "Now-former Kansas Jayhawks football lineman hopes to extend an NFL Draft streak". Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ "Enrique Cruz Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ^ "Enrique Cruz College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ^ Evans, Brooke (April 25, 2026). "49ers Select OL Enrique Cruz Jr. with the No. 179 Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft". 49ers.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- ^ "49ers Sign Six Draft Picks, Seven Undrafted Rookie Free Agents". 49ers.com. May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ^ "What Enrique Cruz Jr. will provide 49ers". The Athletic. April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 27, 2026.