Mexico: Reyes de Jalisco re-sign RB Rodnel Cruell for 2023 season

The Reyes de Jalisco of Mexico’s Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional, LFA, have re-signed running back Rodnell Cruell for the 2023 season.

The 5’11”, 187-pound native of New Orleans, Louisiana is returning for a second year in Mexico. He is hoping he can help bring a championship to Jalisco after being a part of an expansion team that made the playoffs in their first year as an organization, only to be eliminated by the Raptors de Naulcapan in the wild card round.

When their season ended, he went to sign with the Reds CDMX in the then rival Fútbol Americano de México to play in their championship game. In their 21-14 victory against the Parrilleros de Monterrey he had seven receptions for 85 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the Balón de Plata.

Last year with the Reyes, the 27-year-old wide receiver had a big impact on his team, leading the league in receiving yards with 504 as well as receptions with 34. He also led Jalisco in touchdown catches with four, good for third in the LFA.

Before arriving in Mexico, he spent 2014-2017 at Tusculum University (NCAA DII) in Tusculum, Tennessee where he averaged over 10 yards per catch. In his senior season in 2018, he played for McNeese State University (NCAA DI) in Lake Charles, Louisiana where he caught 11 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.

His professional career would be spent the next couple of years in the Spring League where he stayed until 2021 when he was picked up by the Wichita Force of Champions Indoor Football. While on the Force, Cruell accumulated 32 receptions for 329 yards and five touchdowns as well as three rushing touchdowns. The following year he began his career in Mexico, where he remains today.