Cruz attend the University of Massachusetts and played wide receiver for them all four years. In 2008 and 2009, he was named to the first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association. Cruz went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft but was later signed by the New York Giants.  

Cruz had a breakout year in 2011. He finished the year with a record 1,536 receiving yards on 82 receptions and 9 touchdowns helping the Giants win Super Bowl XLVI.