Shippensburg University Athletics

2023 (Junior): Emerged as one of the leaders of an SU defense that ranked No. 1 in the PSAC…contributed to a defense that held opponents to ten-or-less points on four different occasions…finished second on the team with 58 total tackles…ranked third best on the team with 31 solo tackles…posted a season-high 10 total tackles, as well as eight solo tackles, Oct. 21 against Millersville…registered nine tackles and an interception Oct. 14 at Kutztown…tallied eight stops (five solo) Oct. 28 against West Chester.
 
2022 (Sophomore): Ascended to the role of starting weakside linebacker for the Raiders, playing in nine games and making seven starts…totaled 39 tackles, including 22 solo…finished fourth on the defense in tackles for loss (6.0) despite missing a pair of games…totaled six-or-more tackles on four occasions…wrapped up the season with a career-best performance, registering 10 tackles in the Raiders’ overtime victory at Gannon.
 
2021 (Freshman): Appeared in each of the final eight games of the season, working as a special teams performer and as a reserve linebacker…registered six tackles, including four solo tackles…credited with multiple tackles in three games.
 
2020 (Freshman): No season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Bergen Catholic High School: Totaled multiple varsity letters for the Crusaders under coaches Nunzio and Vito Campaneli…named to the All-State Second Team as a senior…finished as a three-time All-Bergen County honoree, including First Team honors as a senior and Second Team honors as a junior and sophomore…compiled more than 200 tackles and 15 TFLs in his varsity career, including four sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception that he returned for 50 yards…recognized as a Jack McGovern Scholar.
 
About Cruz: Full name is Javon Manuel Cruz...is the son of Joseph M. Cruz Sr. and April M. Cruz...majoring in criminal justice while seeking a minor in communication studies…has two brothers: Joseph M. Cruz and Joshua M. Cruz.