Former Citrus College defensive back Dane Cruikshank was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on April 28.
Cruikshank played at Citrus in 2013 and 2014, finishing with 50 tackles in 16 games for the Owls before transferring to the University of Arizona.
The Ayala High School standout from Chino Hills made a good impression on coaches early on.
“I told him after our first workout, ‘You are a bigger, faster, stronger version of Jason Sehorn,’” Citrus head coach Ron Ponciano said in an email.
Ponciano also coached Sehorn, a former NFL safety who played for the New York Giants, when he played at Shasta College before transferring to USC.
With the Arizona Wildcats, Cruikshank improved on his numbers, finishing his junior season with 60 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.
In his senior season Cruikshank finished with 75 tackles, five pass breakups and three interceptions.
Andrew Wheeler, assistant athletic director at Citrus College, saw Cruikshank make the most of his opportunities at Citrus.
“He was obviously someone who worked really hard every day to try and improve,” Wheeler said in an email. “He knew he had to take care of business here at Citrus in order to make it at the next level and that speaks for itself in how he was able to go to Arizona, continue to improve and eventually win a starting job.”
NFL scouts took note of Cruikshank for his versatility and ability to play at a high level at both safety and cornerback.
In an interview with Titans Online senior writer Jim Wyatt, Cruikshank spoke of his versatility and where he fit in to their defense.
“Whatever they need me to play–I mean if it’s safety, if it’s corner, nickel–I am coming in there to do my job,” Cruikshank told Wyatt.
Cruikshank faced NFL-caliber talent in his two years at Arizona.
Last season Cruikshank intercepted both USC quarterback Sam Darnold, who was selected with the third pick of the draft by the New York Jets, and UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, who was picked 10th by the Arizona Cardinals.
“He had the size and speed, and ball skills,” Ponciano said. “All he had to do was to bring all three together; which he did.”
Cruikshank joins a talented Titans secondary with third-year Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard, who led the NFL with eight interceptions, and former USC cornerback and second-year pro Adoree Jackson.
