Arizona Football: Dane Cruikshank is a Leader

By Shereen Rayan | Mar 11, 2017

Oct 8, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Dane Cruikshank (9) defends against a pass to Utah Utes wide receiver Tyrone Smith (21) during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 36-23. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Football cornerback and team captain Dane Cruikshank is taking his leadership role very seriously, and he expects fans to see an improved defense next season.

Watching Dane Cruikshank chase down his opponent is kind of like watching a wildcat chase down his prey. The majority of the time he catches up with his prey, taking them out. There were plays where most of the defense gave up during last years’ forgettable season. Well, except for Cruikshank, he never gave up. It was frustrating to see teams score on the next play after Dane’s heroics. Many times he stopped his opponent just before the goal line.

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Coach Donte Williams taught Cruikshank always to be aware of his technique and that the world is watching even if his team is losing. Dane played well at the start of the season and confessed he felt he could have played better the rest of the season. To his defense, he got banged up, and the team as a whole had a tough time finding themselves and a will to win. One player cannot win a football game, whether it’s a quarterback or a cornerback.

Cruikshank is a JUCO transfer from Chino Hills California, he enters the 2017-2018 season as a red-shirt senior, and he is stepping up to the plate. Maybe being a JUCO transfer gives him something more to prove than players who come right from high school, but the effort and heart he plays with just has to rub off on his team this upcoming season.

We spoke to Dane after the Open Spring Practice last week. I couldn’t wait to ask him if he could find a way to rub off on his teammates because he never gives up on a play. He also spoke about being a team captain and how he is stepping up to the plate. He also explains how his experience may now be beneficial heading into this season, and the impact of having a calmer coach in Yates (his words). Wildcats fans have a lot to look forward too.

Cruikshank gave himself an average grade for his performance last season. One could argue that he couldn’t carry the entire defense alone and that the position his plays is a very visible one. Cornerbacks, like quarterbacks, get a lot of heat when things don’t go well.

Dane was going to get a lot of help with four-star Greg Johnson coming in this season, but that isn’t going happen now, he may get a chance to defend him when Arizona plays USC. Oh well, that just gives more opportunity for Dane to shine under Coach Yates.

He will certainly lead a secondary that returns quite a few players including; Jarvais McCall, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Isaiah Hayes, Tristan Cooper, Chacho Ulloa, Lorenzo Burns, Anthony Mariscal and Jace Whittaker.

Arizona added secondary players in the 2017 recruiting class, that may help bolster the position even more. We can’t wait for the arrivals of Tony Wallace, Troy Young, Xavier Bell, Rhedi Short and Scott Young.

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A leader leads by example, not words alone, and if that is any indication of the potential for Dane to become the leader in the backfield, his resume definitely speaks volumes.

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