Victor Cruz on his new assignment as a TNT Big 12 studio analyst

College football is almost here, and Victor Cruz can’t wait to start his new assignment. The former New York Giants wide receiver will be part of TNT Sports’ Big 12 coverage this year. He, along with Adam Lefkoe, Takeo Spikes, and Champ Bailey, will be in the studio for pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows. He will likely also be on-site for at least one College Football Playoff game.

Last season, Arizona State made a surprising run to the CFP. The Big 12 could provide even more surprises this year. We recently caught up with Cruz to discuss his broadcasting career and his new role.

Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Awful Announcing: Did you always think you would be a broadcaster?

Victor Cruz: “Not necessarily. When I was a rookie in the NFL, maybe not. As my career started to progress, and the more I liked to talk about the game and have conversations surrounding the game, I think it was naturally in the cards for me. I walked the steps the right way and found myself here. So, here I am.”

How did this opportunity to do the Big 12 come about?

“This is our second year being together—Adam Lefkoe, Takeo, and Champ. We did the Mountain West Conference. We had a tremendous time, just having fun with each other and talking about the game. Coming into this offseason, we got the word that TNT Sports was going to have the rights to the Big 12. So, we were immediately excited to get the likes of Deion and different teams and just having the conversation around some teams that will be in contention to be in the College Football Playoff.”

What’s been the hardest thing for you to learn as a broadcaster?

“I think it’s timing. There are a lot of things that come along with being a broadcaster: knowing when to make a joke, when to provide personality, when to give information on the game, and when to provide knowledge to younger players. The younger athletes who may be watching, or even the older ones who may not know the things that happen in the locker room, timeouts, or between the lines. Things like that. So, the biggest thing was just timing, knowing how to bounce off of each other.”

Who has been a mentor figure and helped you?

“There are two guys. One is my cohost Adam Lefkoe. He’s been doing it at a high level for quite some time now. He’s a good guy to have on my team to ask questions about and just pick his brain about certain things. And I talk to Michael Strahan a bunch. We have a relationship given our Giants tenures. Whenever I think about things, whenever I’m maybe struggling or just want to think about things in a different way, I ask him. He provides good feedback. He’s just a good person to have in my corner.”

What makes Arizona State a championship contender?

“We’ve got to start with their quarterback, right? Sam Leavitt can distribute the ball. And anytime you have a No.1 receiver in Jordyn Tyson, I think you always have a chance. If they can put points up and compete with the Penn States of the world and with the Texas of the world, I think they’ll have a good chance to be in that college football playoff and compete for a national championship.”

Who could be a sleeper in the Big 12?

“I like Texas Tech. I think they’ve done some good things this offseason. They got a bunch of new talent there. I think if they’re able to find that continuity early on and be able to build on that, they’ll have a good chance of making it to the college football playoff. From a talent perspective, they’ve done a good job of improving their roster.”

What are reasonable expectations for Colorado?

“When you think of Deion Sanders and you think of the way he prepares his teams, I think they’ll be prepared to play regardless. I think they go as their quarterback goes. Obviously, losing Shedeur Sanders is going to hurt them, and losing a playmaker like Travis Hunter on both sides of the ball. But if they can get their quarterback to play at a high level and to mature pretty quickly, they can make things happen.”

Do you have a prediction for the national championship?

“I’m going to say Penn State and Texas. I think Penn State is probably the team that has the most continuity from a year ago. I think their quarterback is pretty darn good. And when I think of Texas, of course, we think of Arch Manning and him being a stud and his lineage and his family. But that defense has some bona fide studs that can get after the quarterback. If you’ve got guys that can get after the quarterback and create turnovers and give Arch Manning great field position that puts him in an advantageous position.”

How much do you miss playing football?

“I miss it a lot, especially on game days. Or even when I’m just around the team. I visit the Giants a bunch. When I’m around the football team, I start to get the itch. (I) see them running around and catching football in the heat in training camp. I miss that. I’ve been doing that since I was nine years old. That feeling of missing that rapport with teammates and that energy, it never really goes away.”

Did you make fun of Michael Strahan for saying that he wants to be the next James Bond?

“I made fun of him immediately. I was like, ‘Bro, I don’t know if James Bond was 6’4″, 240 pounds, running around with size 15 feet. I don’t know if that’s adding up.’ Strahan’s always set high expectations for himself. But I don’t know if James Bond is the one that’s next on the cards for him.”