From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Kansas OT Enrique Cruz Jr.
No. 77 ENRIQUE CRUZ JR./OT KANSAS – 6054, 313 POUNDS (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
MEASUREMENTS
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Enrique Cruz Jr. | 6054/313 | 10 1/4 | 33 3/4 | 82 3/4 |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.94 | 1.70 | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 9’8″ | 35 | N/A |
THE GOOD
– Ideal NFL size with a thick, well-built upper body, and long arms
– Uses reach effectively to widen rush paths and shield defenders
– Can engulf defenders once he’s latched
– Good burst out of stance and consistently reaches his landmarks on time
– Shows functional lateral quickness in his initial pass sets
– Comfortable working to diagonal set points against wide rushers
– Generates explosive pop when he times his punch correctly
– Heavy hands can jolt defenders and disrupt rush momentum
– Grip strength allows him to sustain when engaged
– Plays under control into contact with decent body control
– Rarely on the ground and maintains balance through engagement
– High-effort player with a noticeable motor and works to finish plays
– While inconsistent, he can re-anchor late and “die slowly” against power
– Core strength helps him absorb rushes when his technique is sound
– Experience starting at both tackle positions
THE BAD
– Plays too upright, limiting leverage in both the run game and pass protection
– Tight lower half prevents him from sinking and generating drive
– Loses power battles due to poor pad level
– Struggles to redirect versus inside counters and stunts
– Labors to mirror quick interior movements that create soft inside lanes for pass rushers
– Below-average anchoring ability despite flashes, and can be walked back by bull rushes
– Lacks consistent lower-body squatting ability to hold his ground
– Takes too many gather/settle steps before engaging in hand fighting
– Late to fit on moving targets at the second level, which limits his effectiveness in zone run concepts
– Too often catches instead of striking
– Relies on length to “gather” defenders rather than disrupt
– Allows rushers into his frame, reducing control of the rep
STATS
– 30 career starts and has played in a total of 36 games in 1 year at Kansas and 4 years at Syracuse University
– 1,839 total snaps (1,000 LT, 796 RT, 1 LG, 36 extra lineman)
– 116 total special teams snaps (all on FG Kick unit)
– Career: 4 total sacks allowed, 8 hits allowed, 24 hurries allowed, and 12 penalties per PFF
– 2025: Started all 12 games
– Gave up 2 sacks, 4 hits, 10 hurries, and 4 penalties per PFF
– PFF: 69.9 run block grade (68.3 zone block grade on 141 snaps, 68.4 gap block grade on 139 snaps)
– PFF: 67.3 pass block grade (58.5 true pass set blocking grade, 94.0 efficiency rating)
INJURY HISTORY
– No known injury history
BACKGROUND
– DOB: 8/4/2003 (22 years old)
– From Chicago, IL, and Willowbrook H.S.
– 2026 Hula Bowl and American Bowl participant
– 2025 Honorable Mention All-Big 12
– 2021-22 ACC Honor Roll
– 4-star H.S. recruit according to 247Sports
– First Team All-State honors as a senior, and was a team captain
– Earned All-State honors in track (shot put)
– Also played basketball and wrestling in high school
– Two brothers and one sister
– Got his degree in communications
– He was ejected from a game against Boston College in Nov. 2022 for punching an opponent, which became a disciplinary matter
– Heavily involved in NIL activities, notably the “SyraCRUZ Tailgate,” which supported him and other players while at Syracuse
– Supported initiatives to help those in need, such as helping at a homeless shelter
– Discusses the importance of motivating youth and encouraging teamwork at a local event
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Enrique Cruz Jr. is a long, physically imposing offensive tackle prospect. He has flashes of explosive upper-body power and enough initial quickness to survive on the edge. He’s a former highly touted recruit who developed across multiple seasons at Syracuse before transferring to Kansas. He has experience, size, and effort, but also clear mechanical and athletic limitations. He wins early in reps with length and foot quickness, but struggles to sustain due to tight hips, upright pad level, and inconsistent anchor strength.
His run blocking in particular displays his strengths: his length and powerful firing off the ball. He can jolt guys out of his stance, get to the second level, and angle-block. He has real versatility to play in gap or power schemes, but his hip swivel is tight when turning.
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) April 19, 2026
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) April 19, 2026
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) April 19, 2026
Cruz is the kind of pass protector who often allows the rushers to come to him. He likes to get set up in his stance and find his landmarks before engaging. But he’ll have to adjust in the NFL because not every pass protection will be a vertical set or allow him time to anchor strongly. He must create a stronger base and strike quicker. If he allows edge rushers or defensive linemen to get into his chest as much as he did in college, he’ll struggle to hold up.
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) April 19, 2026
One big area of concern I see with Cruz Jr. is his ability to reset for stunts and twists. He often can’t get his body re-positioned in time to find balance and get his hands adjusted to meet the speed and momentum of rushers.
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) April 19, 2026
CONCLUSION
Enrique Cruz Jr. is a traits-based offensive tackle whose length, size, and initial quickness give him a fighting chance in the league. However, his tight hips, inconsistent anchor, and struggles redirecting could limit his ceiling and make him vulnerable against refined NFL pass rushers.
His most realistic path to sticking on a roster is as a versatile backup lineman who can fill in at tackle while developing into a guard. Cruz is physically limited at tackle, but at guard, he’s likely to be more comfortable, functional, and projectable. He still won’t be a high-end mover or dominant run blocker, but inside, he can carve out a role.
Cruz Jr. doesn’t fit what a Mike McCarthy offense demands from its tackles, especially in pass protection. However, his size, effort, and power give him a path as a depth piece who can survive in limited action. He would have a much better shot at making and sticking on the roster as a swing guard/tackle.
I think that a realistic NFL comparison for him would be Germain Ifedi. They have a similar size, frame, and length. Both are better straight-line athletes than short-area movers who win early in reps with their length and quickness, but struggle with pad level, anchor consistency, and inside counters.
NFL Projection: Late Day 3
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 6.7 (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 6.3 – 7.1
Games Watched: at Texas Tech (2025), at Arizona (2025), at Florida State (2023), vs. Pittsburgh (2023)