Dane Cruikshank is headed to Tennessee.
The Tennessee Titans selected the Arizona Wildcats defensive back in the fifth round of the NFL draft Saturday.
Cruikshank put himself on the NFL radar with a standout senior season. Moving from cornerback to the “Spur” safety position, Cruikshank recorded 75 tackles, including 5.5 for losses, five pass breakups, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
Cruikshank got invited to the NFL scouting combine and excelled in workouts, running the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds at 209 pounds and ripping off 25 reps on the bench.
Tennessee, which traded up to take Cruikshank with the 15th pick in the fifth round, is listing him as a safety. His best position as a pro might be nickel back.
Cruikshank was the first UA player to be drafted this year, and he could be the last. No Arizona players were picked in 2017.
Cruikshank was the Titans’ third pick, and all of them play defense. Tennessee ranked 25th in pass defense last season. The Titans added former New England cornerback Malcolm Butler earlier in the offseason.
Tennessee’s current projected starter at strong safety — the position most comparable to Spur — is former Jacksonville second-round pick Johnathan Cyprien.
We’ll have more on Cruikshank and other Arizona-related NFL draft news later today.
