Enrique Cruz transferring to Kansas

[VTAaron]

Just talked with him. Has nothing to do with money, just wants to play his final year. Coach Williams said he would be ranking all of the offensive linemen from first to last and apparently he did not see a road to regular playing time in the fall. Sat all of last year after being on the field almost every play the year before but he remained all in on Fran and the program.

Stressed repeatedly how much he appreciated everything we’ve done did for him and said it made things so much easier for him and his family.

We’ll have dinner together sometime before graduation and say our goodbyes. We could not have hoped for a better partner in our first foray into the NIL world. Enrique is an outstanding young man who will be successful whatever life holds for him and will always be a fine ambassador for Syracuse University. Nothing but love for him and his wonderful family!

Really bummed about this too. Him and his family are really great people. I don't blame him, and it is often that a new coach may have some different ideas on the team makup. I wish him the best of luck anywhere, and would support him in any endeavor if I can.

 

[SUDadx2]

I was afraid this might happen. He's graduating, he has one year of eligibility remaining and he is second string. He sat last year and doesn't want to end his college career on the bench waiting for someone to get hurt.

He's great young man. I spend a little time with him every time I'm in Syracuse. I've met his people. Good people.

I really wish him the best.

 

[Orangefan1]

I’m really losing confidence in our NIL by the minute losing some of these guys.

 

[VTAaron]

I’m really losing confidence in our NIL by the minute losing some of these guys.

Don't ... the fact is other universities have access to cash we don't... That is the issue for other players. But, I don't think it was for Enrique. In retrospect, as I edited this post a few times, I would hope he gets a Masters Degree for where ever he goes. He is a wicked smart dude from what I'm told, and he has a year in football left. If he isn't making it here after graduation; I'm all for him making his mark somewhere else.

 

[gocraz4dasu]

Good luck to Enrique. Cannot blame someone for leaving for playing time. He’s good enough to start somewhere. Just never found his footing under this coaching staff.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I’m really losing confidence in our NIL by the minute losing some of these guys.

This has zero to do with NIL or $$

 

[NineOneSeven]

I’m sure he wants to get on the field. He started his first year and not the last year and on the second unit fir next year.

Yeah rightfully so. Programs have 252762 players but how many actually play?

 

[kingtidge]

Don't ... the fact is other universities have access to cash we don't... That is the issue for other players. But, I don't think it was for Enrique. In retrospect, as I edited this post a few times, I would hope he gets a Masters Degree for where every he goes. His a wicked smart dude from what I'm told, and he has a year in football left. If he isn't making it here after graduation; I'm all for him making his mark somewhere else.

Cruz seemed like a good teammate and I get why he is leaving. Godpeed Enrique.

More bummed about Watson... He was a young stud clydesdale.

Also, the ITK post that more big disappointments on exiting players are coming...

 

[JimBoston]

This has zero to do with NIL or $$

Not directly, but indirectly. Starters make more money than backups, so if you are slotted as a backup, you will get paid less than the starter.

 

[VTAaron]

Cruz seemed like a good teammate and I get why he is leaving. Godpeed Enrique.

More bummed about Watson... He was a young stud clydesdale.

Also, the ITK post that more big disappointments on exiting players are coming...

:/

 

[SuFTW]

Not directly, but indirectly. Starters make more money than backups, so if you are slotted as a backup, you will get paid less than the starter.

He is leaving for playing time.

 

[Moontan]

I've met his people. Good people.

I really wish him the best.

I agree.
We got to meet his father, uncle and a couple of other family members at the GA Tech tailgate last year.

Hopefully, he finds a starting spot.

 

[GoSU96]

Already recruited over. Not a big impact

 

[PAcuse]

Can never be mad at a player with 1 year left and doesn't get a starting role to portal out to a team he can start.
No one wants to buried on the depth chart with their last year.

 

[JarHeadJim]

Aren't all shockers inside?

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

Can never be mad at a player with 1 year left and doesn't get a starting role to portal out to a team he can start.
No one wants to buried on the depth chart with their last year.

Nice young man from a good family. Fine Mess was happy to support him. Nothing wrong with wanting to start somewhere after getting a degree. Go get 'em Enrique.

 

[Consigliere]

Not directly, but indirectly. Starters make more money than backups, so if you are slotted as a backup, you will get paid less than the starter.

Has nothing to do with money. His younger brother is playing varsity ball in suburban Chicago. Most games are Friday at 7 p.m. Family jumps in the car after Liam's game and drives through the night to be here for Enrique's games even though he hardly sniffed the field this past season.
Been at Cuse for four years, will get his degree next month and realizes he has one more year to play football. If he can't crack the starting lineup here it makes sense for him to play that year closer to home.
This is the way the portal and grad transfer rules are supposed to work.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Consigliere]

And one for us:

 

[SUDadx2]

And one for us:

https://x.com/enriquecruzz1/status/1913651728290812360?s=46

The people who put the tailgate together couldn't have picked a better young man to support.

Enrique is so genuine. His smile is pure joy. His heart is full of love for Syracuse and gratitude for all who supported him. We are all better for having met him.

He has a bright future. I look forward to continuing to watch him grow.

 

[Trueblue25]

Class act. Wonder where Trebor’s letter to the fans is

 

[The Ack]

Classy. Best of luck to this young man.

 

[sutomcat]

And one for us:

Gonna miss you big guy.

On the positive side, with ‘little’ bro Liam no longer attending tailgates, we need 17.7% less food than in the last couple of seasons……

 

[walleye]

Just talked with him. Has nothing to do with money, just wants to play his final year. Coach Williams said he would be ranking all of the offensive linemen from first to last and apparently he did not see a road to regular playing time in the fall. Sat all of last year after being on the field almost every play the year before but he remained all in on Fran and the program.

Stressed repeatedly how much he appreciated everything we’ve done did for him and said it made things so much easier for him and his family.

We’ll have dinner together sometime before graduation and say our goodbyes. We could not have hoped for a better partner in our first foray into the NIL world. Enrique is an outstanding young man who will be successful whatever life holds for him and will always be a fine ambassador for Syracuse University. Nothing but love for him and his wonderful family!

thank you for the info

 

[SURules]

Just talked with him. Has nothing to do with money, just wants to play his final year. Coach Williams said he would be ranking all of the offensive linemen from first to last and apparently he did not see a road to regular playing time in the fall. Sat all of last year after being on the field almost every play the year before but he remained all in on Fran and the program.

Stressed repeatedly how much he appreciated everything we’ve done did for him and said it made things so much easier for him and his family.

We’ll have dinner together sometime before graduation and say our goodbyes. We could not have hoped for a better partner in our first foray into the NIL world. Enrique is an outstanding young man who will be successful whatever life holds for him and will always be a fine ambassador for Syracuse University. Nothing but love for him and his wonderful family!

This I can totally respect and I hope he does well in life and where ever he goes.