Likely starting cornerback Dane Cruikshank brings three elements to the Arizona secondary that it sorely needs:
Size, speed and swagger.
Cruikshank (pronounced CROOK-shank), a redshirt junior from Chino Hills, California, has ideal dimensions for a modern-day corner. He is the only scholarship cornerback on the Wildcats’ roster who is taller than 6 feet (6-1) and weighs more than 200 pounds (204). As UA corners go, Cruikshank is a Great Dane.
“Tall, long and strong,” Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said.
Size can be an asset for a cornerback, particularly when facing big, physical receivers such as Arizona’s 6-3, 209-pound Trey Griffey, Cruikshank’s frequent practice combatant.
But you have to be able to run, and Cruikshank has very good speed for his size. Receivers coach Tony Dews said the UA coaching staff timed Cruikshank at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash at a prospect camp a few years back.
“Athletically,” cornerbacks coach Donté Williams said, “he’s everything you’re looking for.”
Cruikshank has been one of Arizona’s best practice cornerbacks since spring, putting him in prime position to start. Whether he’ll be just as effective in games at the Division I level remains to be seen.
Even though he’s an upperclassman, Cruikshank has yet to play a down for the Wildcats. After graduating from Ayala High in Chino Hills, he spent two years at Citrus College, a junior college just north of Los Angeles. Cruikshank transferred to Arizona. But in a somewhat surprising development for a healthy JC transfer, Cruikshank redshirted last season.
He views it as a blessing.
“I did not expect to redshirt. But I’m thankful I did,” Cruikshank said. “I’m more mature, I’m more ready. I’m picking up schemes and all that type of stuff much faster. It put me in a better position.”
Cruikshank insists the experience did not frustrate him — even though, once you’re on the redshirt track and the season begins, you don’t get the same attention from the coaches. Cruikshank believes sitting and watching made him a smarter player — that it gave the physically gifted corner a newfound mental edge.
Redshirting certainly didn’t suppress Cruikshank’s confidence.
Although he welcomes the challenge of covering big receivers — and frequently goes one on one against Griffey — Cruikshank insists he can check the smaller, quicker guys, too.
“I feel like I can guard anybody, to be honest,” Cruikshank said. “Not to be cocky; I’m just really confident in my game.”
It’s a good trait for a cornerback to have. It’s also reasonable to wonder whether Cruikshank’s confidence would have taken a hit had he played last season, when Arizona’s secondary — and its entire defense — struggled mightily.
Cruikshank’s practice battles with Griffey date to last fall. They’re still going at it. It’s helping both of them.
Williams said Griffey has the potential to accumulate 1,000-1,500 receiving yards this season.
“He could easily be a go-to guy and a guy who could play at the next level,” Williams said. “Going against a guy who could play at the next level on a daily, consistent basis, you’re going to pick up your game. Otherwise, you’re going to get embarrassed out here.”
Cruikshank has held his own thus far. But he knows greater challenges loom.
It’s one thing to be big and fast and look the part. It’s another to actually achieve your perceived potential.
“Everybody says I’m the prototype NFL corner. I try to live up to those expectations,” Cruikshank said. “At the same time, I know I have to work for it. That’s what I’m doing right now.”
‘The whole week’s been hard’ for Arizona
Arizona’s practice Friday morning was shorter than usual, running roughly 90 minutes. Rodriguez cut it short so players and staff would have time to get ready for teammate Zach Hemmila’s funeral Friday afternoon.
“The whole week’s been hard,” Rodriguez said. “I would expect it to be so. I think I’ve got a pretty tough, resilient group of men. They’re working. They know that we’ve got to push through this both mentally and physically.”
Hemmila died in his sleep of unknown causes earlier this week. The team attended a viewing of the senior lineman’s body Thursday evening. It was a difficult but necessary experience, linebacker Jake Matthews said.
“It was nice to pay respects to him and be there for his family and his friends,” Matthews said. “I’d say the majority of us on this team, we’ve never experienced something like that before. We didn’t really know how to feel. It kind of gave us, most of us, closure, knowing that he’s in a better place.”
The UA planned to bus to Fort Huachuca after the funeral. The team will spend two nights there, practicing twice Saturday. Rodriguez has been impressed by the players’ ability to compartmentalize their feelings and focus on football when appropriate.
“Even the young guys have been very mature in this whole process,” Rodriguez said. “I think it’ll be good for us to go to Fort Huachuca. Have a little practice, have meetings, but more than anything, have some time together just to get to know each other even better.”
Extra points
• Freshman quarterback Khalil Tate practiced after having to work on the side during the team’s morning workout Wednesday. Tate appeared to be moving freely in drills during the portion of practice open to the media.
• A few players remained in yellow jerseys and were limited to side work: receiver Tony Ellison, guard Christian Boettcher and safety Gavin Robertson.
• Matthews, who missed the end of last season because of a Lisfranc sprain, said his left foot never will be the same. However, he’s practicing fully and fighting through it to help the team.
