Cruz Campbell: The Next Great Quarterback out of Oklahoma
When Cruz Campbell stepped in at quarterback for Southmoore High School during his freshman season, the SaberCats were losing by double digits against Mustang High School. Campbell made the varsity team as a freshman, and the coaches gave him a chance to impact a game that had gotten out of hand.
After completing a screen for 6 yards on his first play, the coaching staff called a deep shot for Campbell. During the play, Campbell dropped back and looked to his left, catching a glimpse of a player wearing Southmoore’s blue and gold open down the field, and threw the ball. As he watched the ball fly through the Oklahoma sky, all he could hope for was a catch by his teammate.
A few seconds later, the ball was caught. It was a 24-yard touchdown for Southmoore, and while the six points would not affect the outcome of the game, the play left Campbell with a feeling he would never forget. It was Campbell’s first touchdown on the varsity team.
“I got up and I had a lot of energy, I was so excited,” Campbell said. “I knew right there and then I hoped to be something special.”
Tuttle (OK) quarterback Cruz Campbell makes a throw during one on ones at the Elite 11 Austin Regional at Del Valle High School on Saturday, March 23, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron
From that point on Campbell trained to become the best quarterback in Oklahoma, with the aim of playing football in college. The following season he became the starting quarterback for Southmoore, and accumulated 2,142 passing yards along with 15 touchdowns according to MaxPreps. His 2,142 yards gained through the air ranked 25th in Oklahoma in the 2023-24 season.
Following his sophomore season, Campbell transferred to Tuttle High School, trading in his blue and gold for red and white. While Tuttle is only a 30-minute drive from Southmoore, Campbell had to adjust to having new coaches, new teammates, new opponents and new expectations.
“It was a little nerve wracking, moving from one town to another,” Campbell said. “I knew I wanted to make the move, I knew I wanted to go to a place I could succeed more and put out my name, so I knew Tuttle was the place for me. They’re a great program and I’ve loved it there ever since.”
Winning at Tuttle came more easily for Campbell, and his stats and overall performances improved after his transfer. Campbell threw for 2,925 yards during his junior season, and threw 40 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions according to MaxPreps. Tuttle did not lose a single game before their playoff run in 2024.
Going into the 2024 Oklahoma Class 4A Football Championship game, Tuttle boasted a 13-0 record, and was 60 minutes away from the perfect season. After the game was over, Campbell went home and went to his garage, where he had the playoff bracket hanging on the wall. The score of every game leading up to the state title game had been filled in for Tuttle. 34-6, win. 49-7, win. 24-0, win. Campbell then filled in the score of the final game in the tournament: 29-22, loss.
“It makes me work 10 times harder everyday,” Campbell said. “I look at that calendar every day and I don’t want to feel that way ever again. I want to go all the way back to that state championship more this year.”
Since that loss on Dec. 14, Campbell has been working relentlessly to improve as a quarterback. Campbell has attended camps like the Elite11 regional in Austin, Texas, but has also received personal training from Casey Thompson, a former quarterback for the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. Thompson accumulated over 5,300 passing yards throughout his career according to Sports Reference, and is preparing for the NFL Draft.
“It’s a pretty special opportunity,” Campbell said. “You got to take every minute you can with him because he’s the smartest football guy I have ever met in my life. He will get you right on the field and off the field.”
Tuttle (OK) quarterback Cruz Campbell goes through a roll out drill at the Elite 11 Austin Regional at Del Valle High School on Saturday, March 23, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron
Thompson also coaches Campbell in a 7-on-7 league, a form of football where players do not wear pads and do not tackle one another. It is designed to showcase the passing game, as well as the athlete's abilities coverage. Campbell’s time with Thompson extends beyond the field, and the two have created a special bond due to their faith.
“The biggest thing about Casey isn’t about football, it’s about faith,” Campbell said. “He’s grown my faith so much, it’s been insane. He has been teaching me about God and how to live life through God.”
As the two have grown close, Thompson has traveled to see Campbell compete in camps across the country, and was in Austin with Campbell for the Elite11 regional, a camp that focuses on quarterbacks. Thompson said Campbell was one of the most talented quarterbacks at Del Valle high school that day.
“Cruz has big dreams but the thing that I like about him is his fierce competitiveness,” Thompson said. “He loves winning but hates losing, and he doesn’t take it well. That’s the sign of a true competitor.”
Tuttle (OK) quarterback Cruz Campbell drops back at the Elite 11 Austin Regional at Del Valle High School on Saturday, March 23, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron
When Campbell walked onto the field at Del Valle High School, he was one of 49 quarterbacks from around the country to compete in front of family, coaches and members of the media. With the number 210 across his back, Campbell competed alongside other quarterbacks who had committed to play for schools like Texas, Oklahoma and Houston.
“I want to go to those camps and prove that I’m just as good as or better than those guys,” Campbell said. “I might not be a big name but I want to go out and prove that I can throw just as good as them.”
Being coached by a quarterback with Thompson’s pedigree certainly sets Campbell apart, but it is his mentality and work ethic that truly separate him from the crowd.
“Cruz never shies away from challenges and consistently sets high standards for himself and the team,” said Jalen Lane, Campbell’s teammate and wide receiver at Tuttle High School. “Even when things get tough, he maintains a focused and determined attitude, inspiring everyone around him to give their best.
With a relentless work ethic, teammates who rally around him and a personal trainer who has played on the biggest of stages, Campbell is poised become one of the most prolific quarterbacks Oklahoma high school football has seen. For Campbell, Oklahoma is just the beginning of his rise to national stardom.
Check out Cruz’s highlights here and follow him on Twitter/X @iamcruzcampbell.
