Controlled the point of attack for Piedmont’s suffocating run defense. Even got his named called a couple times. One instance, Cruz bullrushed his blocker back into the QB and he reached out a giant paw to pull down the QB and offensive lineman at the same time. Another time he was down blocked, but he fought it off and had the quickness to recover and grab the running back in the hole. Also nearly ripped the ball out of the RB’s hand. It’s clear Cruz is the key in the middle to keep his teammates clean to go make plays.

2027 defensive lineman Willie Cruz Willie Cruz DL Piedmont | 2027 OK is like the defensive version of Maguire for Piedmont on the line of scrimmage. Cruz has been playing meaningful snaps for years now and is the veteran of a very talented Piedmont front seven. Cruz will line up at defensive tackle and be an absolute monster in the middle of the line of scrimmage. He measures in at 6’3 and 300 pounds and he’s a player that is going to demand opposing offensive lines send two guys at or risk him pushing the line of scrimmage backwards. That will free up his teammates to make the plays. But make no mistake about it, Cruz will also be able to produce and cause havoc in the backfield this season.