Doubted, Driven and Dangerous: Caleb Cruz Is Just Getting Started

The moment Caleb Cruz moved from Odessa Permian to the private school Midland Christian, he created a cast of doubters — and a chip on his shoulder. He’d started 12 games as a freshman cornerback at one of the most renowned Class 6A high schools in the state. Why would he leave?

“I kept getting told I was running away from the competition,” Cruz said. “I viewed the doubt I was feeling as a blessing because it gave me that chip on my shoulder to prove everyone wrong.”