Dane Cruikshank

BIOGRAPHY

Dane Ashton Cruikshank is an esteemed player in the world of American professional football, born on April 27, 1995. Currently, he serves as a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, a reputed team representing the National Football League (NFL). Cruikshank has long been dedicated to football, recognized for his significant contributions from his college years to the NFL.

Cruikshank’s journey to the NFL started with his excellent stint in the collegiate circuit. He played college football at Arizona, where he majored in general studies. His passion for the sport was evident during his time at Citrus College where he played during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. His exceptional performance didn’t go unnoticed, earning him the honor of being named “first-team all-state.”

In 2015, Cruikshank made a strategic decision to redshirt at his season at Arizona. In the following year, as a redshirt junior, he demonstrated his prowess on the field playing as a cornerback. His fruitful performance placed him as a team leader in interceptions, with two interceptions to his name. Furthermore, he was fourth in overall tackles, totaling 60, illustrating his critical role in his team’s defense. His superior skills were again highlighted as he claimed second place in pass breakups, as he successfully defended against seven passes.

Continuing his upward trajectory in 2017, Cruikshank transitioned to the position of safety during his tenure as a redshirt senior. His commitment and skill further bolstered his team’s efforts, as he secured fifth place with a total of 75 tackles. He also shared the second position for interceptions, completing three, and was ranked third for effectively breaking up five passes.

Owing to his consistent performance and undeniable talent, Cruikshank was drafted as the 152nd pick by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Subsequently, he signed a four-year contract worth $2,747,892, inclusive of $287,892 in guaranteed money.

Cruikshank’s professional career kicked off with a bang when he scored his first NFL touchdown on September 16, 2018. This was done on a fake punt against the Houston Texans, where Cruikshank impressively secured a 66-yard reception from Kevin Byard, his teammate. This performance earned him the title of the American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, and a victory for his team with a score of 20-17. Cruikshank astoundingly ended his rookie year with 11 tackles, 39 return yards, 66 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

His excellence on the field continued, when he famously blocked a fourth-quarter field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri during a crucial game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2019. Cruikshank’s expertise led to a backup cornerback Tye Smith scooping up the ball and running it back 63 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. This event powered Tennessee to a 31-17 victory.

Despite bouts with injury, Cruikshank has always shown resilience in returning to the field. After being placed on injured reserve in September 2020, he was activated in late October of the same year. During week 7 in a match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he marked a noteworthy milestone by recording his first career interception off a pass thrown by famous quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Unfortunately, an injury cut his season short when he was placed back on injured reserve in November.

In 2021, Cruikshank had to spend some time on injured reserve due to a knee injury. However, he bounced back by December, ready to contribute to his team once more. Moving between various teams, Cruikshank also signed contracts with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets in 2022 and 2023, respectively. He later reverted back to the Tennessee Titans, but his stint was short-lived due to a release.

As of May 13, 2024, Cruikshank is a critical part of the Atlanta Falcons. Despite being released briefly in August, he was quickly re-signed, underscoring his valuable presence on the practice squad. Cruikshank’s career truly reflects his immense dedication to football, showcasing his agility, commitment, and resilience, both on and off the field. His journey, marked with accolades and challenges, illustrates his exceptional talent and constant pursuit of excellence in the sport.