Cruz would be the Penultimate SCOTUS seat holder
Trump’s list makes it clear that he is rejecting any Harvard trained lawyers. Hence Cruz is a no-go.
Note that by rejecting the Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Trump is making an implied statement that how things are done in Washington is about to change. The “insiders” are no long at the front of the line.
Trump is more interest in WHAT you do, than WHO you (and your connections) are.