Dane Cruikshank Bio
Dane Ashton Cruikshank is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Born on April 27, 1995, in Chino Hills, California, Cruikshank attended Ayala High School before playing college football at Citrus College and later the University of Arizona. The Tennessee Titans selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 152nd overall pick. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 210 pounds, Cruikshank has built his NFL career on special teams excellence and positional versatility, having played both cornerback and safety throughout his football journey.
Early Life and Background
Dane Ashton Cruikshank grew up in Chino Hills, California, a suburban city in San Bernardino County. He attended Ayala High School in Chino Hills, where he developed as a football player during his high school years. His performance at the high school level laid the foundation for his eventual journey to the collegiate and professional ranks of American football.
Path to the NFL
After graduating from Ayala High School, Cruikshank began his college football career at Citrus College in Glendora, California, where he played during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. His standout play at the junior college level earned him first-team all-state recognition, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level. This strong performance caught the attention of programs from the Football Bowl Subdivision, leading to his transfer to the University of Arizona.
Cruikshank redshirted the 2015 season at Arizona while adjusting to the major college level. As a redshirt junior in 2016, he became a starter at cornerback, tying the team lead with two interceptions, finishing fourth on the team with 60 total tackles, and ranking second with seven pass breakups. His redshirt senior season in 2017 saw him transition to safety, where he ranked fifth on the team with 75 total tackles, tied for second with three interceptions, and third with five pass breakups. His versatility and playmaking ability made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.
Dane Cruikshank Career
Tennessee Titans (2018–2021)
The Tennessee Titans selected Dane Cruikshank in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 152nd overall pick. He signed a four-year contract worth $2,747,892 with $287,892 in guarantees on May 11, 2018. Cruikshank made an immediate impact during his rookie season, appearing in 14 games with one start. His most memorable moment came in Week 2 when he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 66-yard fake punt reception against the Houston Texans, catching a pass from safety Kevin Byard. Cruikshank earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance in the 20-17 victory. He finished his rookie year contributing 11 tackles and 66 receiving yards on special teams.
The 2019 season saw Cruikshank continue his special teams contributions, including a pivotal play in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. He blocked a fourth-quarter field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri, which was recovered by Tye Smith and returned 63 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the 31-17 victory. His 2020 season was interrupted by injury, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 6 and activated on October 24. He recorded his first career regular-season interception in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, picking off a pass from Ben Roethlisberger during the 27-24 loss. He was placed back on injured reserve on November 11, ending his season. Injuries continued to plague Cruikshank in 2021, as he was placed on injured reserve in November before being activated in December. He appeared in 11 games that season.
Chicago Bears (2022)
On March 31, 2022, Cruikshank signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. His time with the Bears was cut short by injury, as he was placed on injured reserve on November 30, ending his season prematurely. The injury setback limited his contributions during his single season in Chicago.
New York Jets and Return to Tennessee (2023)
On July 20, 2023, Cruikshank signed with the New York Jets. However, his tenure was brief, as he was released on August 25 during final roster cuts. He later signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad on September 25, 2023, returning to the team that originally drafted him. He was released from the practice squad on November 7, marking another unstable period in his professional career.
Atlanta Falcons (2024–Present)
On May 13, 2024, Cruikshank signed with the Atlanta Falcons. His first season with the Falcons was marked by significant roster instability. He was released on August 27 and signed to the practice squad. Cruikshank was released again on October 1 before returning to the practice squad two weeks later. He was released a final time on December 9. The turbulent season demonstrated the challenges Cruikshank faced in establishing himself with a new organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cruikshank is best known for his special teams prowess and ability to contribute in multiple defensive back positions. His experience playing both cornerback and safety provides defensive coordinators with lineup flexibility. His playmaking ability was evident from his rookie season, where he demonstrated the vision and athleticism to execute trick plays effectively. His tackling skills and coverage instincts have allowed him to remain in the NFL despite roster volatility.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Cruikshank’s career came during his rookie season with the Titans in 2018 when he returned a fake punt 66 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He also blocked a field goal against the Colts in 2019 that directly led to a game-changing touchdown. His first career regular-season interception came against future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2020.
Dane Cruikshank Career Statistics
Across seven NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons, Cruikshank has appeared in 66 games. His career totals reflect a player who has contributed primarily on special teams while providing depth in the defensive backfield.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 66 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Pass Deflections | 2 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 |
| Total Touchdowns | 1 |
Career Highlights
Dane Cruikshank’s most productive season came as a rookie in 2018, when he scored his first professional touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans, a play that earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition. Beyond his NFL career, Cruikshank’s collegiate achievements include being named first-team all-state during his time at Citrus College before transferring to the University of Arizona, where he continued to develop as a playmaker in the secondary.
Dane Cruikshank Family
Family Background
Dane Cruikshank grew up in Chino Hills, California, and attended Ayala High School in the city. His football career path took him through Citrus College before reaching the Division I level at Arizona, demonstrating his determination to advance through the ranks of the sport.
Personal Life
Dane Cruikshank maintains a presence on social media under the handle @dane2smoove on Instagram. He majored in general studies during his time at the University of Arizona. As of the most recent information available, Cruikshank is not married and does not have children.
2025 Season Outlook
As Dane Cruikshank enters the 2025 season, his future in the NFL remains uncertain following a turbulent 2024 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons that saw multiple roster transactions. The safety position remains competitive across the league, and Cruikshank will need to demonstrate consistency and health to earn a稳固 roster spot. His value as a special teams performer and his positional versatility provide him with opportunities, but he must capitalize on any chances afforded to him during training camp and the preseason.