Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

2024 Football Roster

Rachael Keating

17 Juan De La Cruz

  • Position Linebacker
  • Height 6-2
  • Weight 240
  • Class Junior
  • Hometown Gurnee, Ill.
  • Highschool Warren Township HS

Biography

2023:  Named a Phil Steele fourth-team spot All MVFC Linebacker … named Honorable Mention All Missouri Valley Football Conference … Second-Team All MVFC Preseason Linebacker … Named Third-Team All MVFC Preseason linebacker by Phil Steele … Played in all 11 games, finishing with 61 tackles (34 solo, 27 assists) … Third on the team in total tackles … Tied for second on the team with 4.5 tackles for loss for a team-high -14 yards … Had one sack (-8 yards), two pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and one force fumble … Had one catch for 21 yards … Started all 11 games … Had two tackles for loss vs. Southern Utah and North Dakota … Had a season-high 10 tackles vs. Southern Utah and Indiana State … Had nine tackles vs. Illinois State.


2022: In 11 games had 88 tackles (48 assist, 40 solo), five tackles for loss (10 yards) and two sacks (six yards). Forced three fumbles, had seven quarterback hurries and three pass break ups. MVFC Honorable Mention, Phil Steele MVFC Third Team All Conference.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Competed on the defensive side of the ball in six games... especially impressed during Western's final four games... posted eight and nine tackles in back-to-back home contests against Illinois State (Oct. 30) and South Dakota (Nov. 6)... recorded three solo and three assisted tackles in the season finale at Northern Iowa (Nov. 20).

FRESHMAN (2020-21): MVFC Academic Honor Roll ... started the first two games of the season … recorded one tackle versus Missouri State

HIGH SCHOOL: Prep career littered with all-state, all-conference, and all-area honors ... named the North Suburban Conference Player of the Year ... selected as the Daily Herald’s 2018 Lake County All-Area Team Captain

PERSONAL: Son of Maria Garza and Juan Pablo DelaCruz ... plans to study criminal justice

Statistics

Season:
2024

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 17

    2020Freshman

    Linebacker
    6'2" 220 lbs
    17
  • 17

    2021Sophomore

    Linebacker
    6'2" 220 lbs
    17
  • 17

    2022Junior

    Linebacker
    6'2" 230 lbs
    17
  • 17

    2023Senior

    Linebacker
    6'2" 233 lbs
    17
  • 17

    2024Junior

    Linebacker
    6'2" 240 lbs
    17