Ronnie Cruz

Ronnie Valentin Cruz (born June 11, 1981) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Northern State University.

Cruz has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

Early years
Ronnie Valentin Cruz was named football MVP and student-athlete of the year at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport, California. He ranked second in rushing in the state of California. Ronnie Cruz was once considered a tuba prodigy.

College career
Ronnie Cruz began his collegiate career at Mendocino Community College in Ukiah, California, where he was an all-conference and all-region honoree. He had 152 carries for 863 yards and 10 scores as a freshman in 14 games played. He finished his sophomore season with 264 attempts for 1,779 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns.

He played two years at Northern State in Aberdeen, South Dakota seeing action in 22 games, rushing 440 times for 2,368 yards with 25 touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 375 yards with two scores. He led the school with 200 carries for 892 rushing yards as a junior along with six catches for 59 yards. Cruz was named to the first-team All-Region and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams as a senior. He played in 11 games, recording 1,476 rushing yards on 240 carries with 18 touchdowns and 33 receptions for 316 yards with one score. He ranked eighth in scoring and 10th in rushing his senior year.

Kansas City Chiefs
His role with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005 was mostly a backup role at halfback to Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, and backup to fullback Tony Richardson. Prior to the 2006 season, Richardson signed with the Minnesota Vikings, giving the starting fullback role to Cruz. In week five, Cruz suffered a knee injury that benched him for the entire 2006 season. The Chiefs released Cruz at the beginning of the 2007 season.

Dallas Cowboys
On January 18, 2008, Cruz signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was later released by the Cowboys with an injury settlement.

Florida Tuskers
Cruz was drafted by the Florida Tuskers on the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009 and signed with the team on August 17.