University of Tennessee Athletics
All-Americans
Roster

Jersey Number 86
Kyle "Buddy" Cruze
- Position:
- Wide Receiver
- Year(s) Awarded:
- 1956
- Hometown:
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- High School:
- Austin-East
Kyle "Buddy" Cruze re-established the wide receiver at Tennessee as coach Bowden Wyatt reconstructed the Vols' program with a 10-1 season - undefeated in the regular season - and an SEC title. Cruze was just the second receiver to reach double figures in receptions in Tennessee history when he caught 12 balls his junior year for 232 yards and a 19.3-yard average. In 1956, he became the first Tennessee receiver to catch 20 passes and the first to top 300 yards, finishing with 357 to receive All-America status. He had 16- and 35-yard receptions to help beat Georgia Tech his senior season.
Career Totals
- Receptions: 34
- Receiving Yards: 617
- Touchdowns: 6
- Kickoff Returns: 3
- Kickoff Return Yards: 33
- Punt Returns: 1
- Punt Return Yards: 10
CAREER HONORS
- 1956 first-team All-America
- 1956 first-team All-SEC
1956 - SENIOR
- Earned first-team All-America honors, becoming the first UT wide receiver to earn the recognition
- Named first-team All-SEC by the AP and UPI
- Set a career-high in both receptions (20) and receiving yards (357), while snaring two TDs
- The Vols finished the regular season 10-0 and champions of the SEC
1955 - JUNIOR
- Brought down 12 receptions for 232 yards and a career-high four touchdowns
- Just the second receiver in school history to top double figures in receptions
- Averaged 19.3 yards per catch
1954 - SOPHOMORE
- In his first season of action with the varsity team, he hauled in two passes for 28 yards
1953 - FRESHMAN
- Listed on the 1953 JV squad
FB | Kaleb Beasley Media Availability (10.6.25)
Monday, October 06
FB | Braylon Staley Media Availability (10.6.25)
Monday, October 06
FB | Jaxson Moi Media Availability (10.6.25)
Monday, October 06
FB | Josh Heupel Press Conference (10.6.25)
Monday, October 06