Dane Cruikshank Bio
Dane Ashton Cruikshank is an American professional football safety who has spent time in the National Football League since being drafted in 2018. After playing college football at the University of Arizona, he was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 210 pounds, Cruikshank has built a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing on special teams. Over the course of his career, he has played for the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and the Atlanta Falcons.
Known for his willingness to play through contact and his knack for delivering in big moments, Cruikshank has carved out a role as a reliable reserve and special teams contributor. His most memorable early moment came when he scored a touchdown on a fake punt play during his rookie season, an effort that earned him a conference weekly award. He continues his professional career in the NFL as a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
Early Life and Background
Dane Ashton Cruikshank was born on April 27, 1995, in Chino Hills, California. He grew up in the same Southern California community where he would later attend Ayala High School. During his time at Ayala, Cruikshank developed as a multi-sport athlete and earned attention from college recruiters for his combination of size, speed, and physicality in the secondary.
Coming out of high school, Cruikshank was not regarded as a top-tier national recruit, and he opted to begin his college career at the junior college level. He spent two seasons playing at Citrus College from 2013 to 2014, where he developed the skills and experience that would later earn him an opportunity at a major Division I program. His time at Citrus helped him grow into a more polished defensive back and prepared him for the demands of high-level college football.
Path to American Football
After his two seasons at Citrus College, Cruikshank transferred to the University of Arizona, where he sat out the 2015 season as a redshirt. The time away from the field allowed him to adjust to the Wildcats’ defensive scheme and to build the physical foundation necessary to compete in the Pac-12 Conference. His development during this period would soon translate into significant on-field production.
As a redshirt junior in 2016, Cruikshank made an immediate impact at cornerback, tying for the team lead in interceptions with two while finishing fourth in total tackles with 60. The following year, in 2017, he switched to safety, where he ranked fifth on the team with 75 total tackles, three interceptions, and five pass breakups. His combination of production and versatility drew the attention of NFL scouts and set the stage for his selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Dane Cruikshank Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Cruikshank began his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans after being selected in the fifth round, 152nd overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract with the team and quickly established himself as a contributor on special teams. In his very first season, he recorded 11 tackles, 39 return yards, 66 receiving yards, and a touchdown, numbers that reflected his unique usage on special teams packages.
Over his first stint with the Titans, Cruikshank showed a willingness to play through injuries and to take on a variety of roles in the secondary and on special teams units. In 2019, he blocked a fourth-quarter field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri against the Indianapolis Colts, a play that led to a touchdown and helped seal a key divisional victory. He later recorded his first career interception in 2020 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, picking off a pass from Ben Roethlisberger before a knee injury ended his season. He returned to action in 2021 and remained with the Titans through the end of his initial contract.
Chicago Bears Era (2022)
On March 31, 2022, Dane Ashton Cruikshank signed with the Chicago Bears, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move offered him an opportunity to compete for a role in a different defensive scheme under a new coaching staff. He appeared in games for the Bears during the 2022 season, contributing on defense and on special teams units.
His time in Chicago was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 30, 2022, ending his season. Although his stint with the Bears was brief, the experience added another chapter to his professional journey and reinforced his reputation as a dependable veteran reserve.
New York Jets and Return to Tennessee (2023)
On July 20, 2023, Cruikshank signed with the New York Jets, looking to add depth and special teams experience to the roster. His time with the Jets was short, however, as he was released on August 25, 2023, before the start of the regular season. The release opened the door for a return to a familiar organization just weeks later.
On September 25, 2023, Cruikshank signed with the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans, rejoining the franchise that had originally drafted him. He spent time working with the team before being released on November 7, 2023, closing out a year that saw him return to the organization where his NFL career had begun.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–Present)
On May 13, 2024, Cruikshank signed with the Atlanta Falcons, marking the latest team move in his professional career. He competed for a role during training camp and the preseason, and after being released on August 27, he was re-signed to the practice squad. He continued to work his way back onto the active roster and re-signed with the practice squad again after a brief release in October.
Cruikshank remained part of the Falcons organization throughout the 2024 season, contributing on special teams and in the secondary when called upon. His perseverance through multiple practice squad moves during the year demonstrated his commitment to maintaining a career in the league. As of the most recent reporting, he continues to be associated with the Atlanta Falcons as a veteran depth piece in the defensive backfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although football players do not have a driving style in the motorsport sense, Cruikshank has built his reputation on physicality, versatility, and special teams excellence. He has experience playing both cornerback and safety, giving his defensive coordinators flexibility when deploying him on the field. His willingness to throw his body into kick coverage, block kicks, and execute trick plays has made him a valuable special teams asset throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Dane Ashton Cruikshank’s career came on September 16, 2018, when he scored his first NFL touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans, catching a 66-yard pass from Kevin Byard. The play earned him American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors in a 20–17 victory. Another signature moment came on December 1, 2019, when he blocked a field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri against the Indianapolis Colts, a play that helped the Titans pull away to a 31–17 win. He also recorded his first career interception in 2020 off a pass from Ben Roethlisberger.
Dane Cruikshank Career Wins
Dane Ashton Cruikshank has built a professional career defined less by statistical headlines and more by winning plays on special teams and dependable reserve contributions. While he is not a traditional stat-sheet stuffer, his career has been marked by several game-changing moments, including a fake-punt touchdown, a blocked field goal that led to a score, and an interception off a future Hall of Fame quarterback. Through the 2024 season, he has accumulated 66 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, and 1 total touchdown across his NFL career.
NFL Highlights
Cruikshank’s most celebrated highlight remains his rookie-season fake-punt touchdown against the Houston Texans, a play that gave the Titans a memorable 20–17 win and earned him conference weekly recognition. His blocked field goal against the Colts in 2019 and his 2020 interception of Ben Roethlisberger further cemented his reputation for rising to big moments.
Other Performances
Beyond his headline plays, Cruikshank has contributed steadily as a reserve safety and core special teams player for multiple franchises. His career has spanned stints with four NFL teams, and his journeyman path reflects the persistence and professionalism that have allowed him to remain active in the league since 2018.
Dane Cruikshank Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Dane Ashton Cruikshank’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings are not widely available. He grew up in Chino Hills, California, where he attended Ayala High School and began his athletic development before continuing his football career at the college level.
Personal Life
Details about Cruikshank’s marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He has continued to live and work in the United States throughout his professional career, spending time in Tennessee, Illinois, New York, and Georgia as a result of his NFL stops.
2025 Season Performance
As Dane Ashton Cruikshank enters the 2025 season, his primary objective will be to secure a stable role on the Atlanta Falcons roster and continue contributing on special teams and in the secondary. After a 2024 campaign that saw him move between the active roster and the practice squad, he will look to build momentum during offseason work and training camp.
His experience across multiple defensive schemes and his track record of producing in key special teams moments should make him a strong candidate to compete for a depth role in Atlanta’s defensive backfield. If he can stay healthy, he has the opportunity to add to his career totals and to remain a presence in the league for another season.
Heading into 2025, the Falcons’ defensive staff will evaluate Cruikshank alongside the rest of the safety room, with preseason performance likely to determine his final status. Whether on the active roster or the practice squad, his veteran presence and special teams ability give him a path to remain involved in the league as he continues his NFL journey.