Your Teams.
All Sources.

Build your feed

© 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

Dane Cruikshank: Ayala alum begins stint with Chicago Bears
Former Tennessee Titan Dane Cruikshank signed with the Chicago Bears in April. (Credit: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Dane Cruikshank: Ayala alum begins stint with Chicago Bears

CHINO HILLS, Calif. (BVM) – Dane Cruikshank is in his fifth season in the NFL, but this time, it is with a new team. The Chino Hills native signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears in April worth $1.187 million ($1.047 million guaranteed). 

Cruikshank had spent the previous four years in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Although he only started four games with the Titans, by the end of his tenure with the team, Cruikshank was a contributor on defense and special teams. 

In 44 appearances for Tennessee, Cruikshank recorded 65 tackles, one fumble recovery, two passes defended, one tackle for loss and an interception. He also had 831 snaps on special teams which is where he really shined for the Titans. 

Now with the Bears, Cruikshank has the opportunity to make an impact on the field with a team that is currently in the middle of a rebuild. Being on a one-year contract, Cruikshank will look to showcase why Chicago or another team should sign him to a longer deal. 

However, Cruikshank is used to having to prove himself. As a senior on a senior-heavy Ayala High School team, he had to take advantage of every opportunity he got on the field. By the end of his senior year, Cruikshank had tallied 40 carries for 337 yards and six touchdowns while also catching 18 passes for another 350 yards and three touchdowns. 

He then played at Citrus College for two years before heading to Arizona to play for the Wildcats. Following a redshirt year, Cruikshank was a leader on Arizona’s defense. As a cornerback and safety, he was one of the leaders in interceptions, tackles and passes defended during his redshirt junior and senior years. 

The time at Arizona was enough to get him drafted 152nd overall and since then, he has been earning his spot on an NFL roster each season. Now the Ayala alum is with a new team with a new opportunity to make a difference out on the field. 

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.

Top Leagues

No results found.