Charleston Southern University Athletics

2019

• Second in the Big South with 15 passes defended
• 19th in FCS with 1.3 passes defended per game
• Posted 29 tackles (26 solo, three assisted)
• Added 2.5 tackles for loss
• Posted one interception and 14 pass breakups
• Recorded five tackles against South Carolina
• Five tackles and three pass breakups against North Carolina A&T
• Four tackles and a tackle for loss against Monmouth
• Four tackles and an interception against Hampton
• Recorded at least one pass breakup in each of the last eight games

2018

• Lined up in all 11 games in both the secondary, as well on special teams
• Recorded four total tackles (two solo, two assisted)
• Recorded two fumble recoveries on the season
• Picked up his first tackle of the season and added a fumble recovery at Hampton
• Picked up a season-high three tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss at Campbell
• Recorded a fumble recovery in CSU’s win over Presbyterian

2017

• Played in four games on defense and special teams
• Recorded two tackles

2016

• Redshirted the 2016 season

High School

• Joined the Bucs by way of Viera High School in Viera, Fla.
• Lined up at defensive back and wide receiver under head coach Kevin Mays
• Was a three-sport letterman in football, lacrosse, and track & field
• Finished his high school career with 148 solo tackles, 105 assisted tackles, 29 pass breakups, seven interceptions, and three forced fumbles
• During his senior season at Viera, Cruz started 15 games (10 regular season and five postseason) at free safety on his way to leading the team to the FHSAA 7A State Championship Game
• Helped Viera to the school''s first historical playoff win, and to the FHSAA Class 7A District 6 Championship for the second consecutive year
• Helped the high school to its first Florida Class 7A Region II Championship
• Helped lead the team to the FHSAA Class 7A State Championship game before falling to St. Thomas Aquinas
• Was selected to the 2016 Florida East Coast Senior All-Star Game
• Started 43 games in his high school playing career lining up at cornerback, strong safety, and free safety
• Helped the team to its first undefeated season in program history in his junior season (2014)
• Recorded a career-high three interceptions in his junior season
• Was named the 2014 VTO Sports Elite 100s Underclassman MVP
• Cruz excelled in the classroom earning All-Academic District honors in each of his final two seasons and was a three-year member of the National Honor Society
• Was a member of the 4x100m Cape Coast Conference and Class 4A-9 District Championship Team in track in his junior season

Personal

• Evan is the son of Ernie and April Cruz
• He plans to pursue a physical therapy career after football
• Dad, Ernie, is an Old Dominion alum (''93) and is a graphic designer for Harris Corporation
• Mom, April, is a George Mason alum (''99) who is an IT specialist for eBay Enterprise
• Evan enjoys spending his spare time training, fishing, and hanging out with close friends and family