Wisconsin football recruiting: ATH/WR Aron Cruickshank commits to the Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers have found another possibly dynamic piece to their class of 2018.

Brooklyn, N.Y. (Erasmus Hall) athlete/wide receiver Aron Cruickshank verbally committed to Wisconsin on Tuesday. He announced his decision via Twitter.

Listed between 5’9-5’10 and 147-168 pounds according to various recruiting services, Cruickshank is well-regarded by all. A nominee for the 2018 U.S. Army All-American game, he is rated a four-star recruit and the 191st player in the country according to ESPN, along with being ranked a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout.

ESPN and 247Sports regard Cruickshank as an athlete, while Rivals and Scout both view him as a wide receiver. According to Scout, he received offers from the likes of Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan, among others.

Wisconsin initially offered Cruickshank in January, and the New York prospect recently visited last week. He decided he was ready to commit on Tuesday.

Simply put, Cruickshank’s Hudl film is impressive. Shown as a quarterback and wide receiver, there’s a speed and elusiveness that’s instantly translatable to Wisconsin’s offense under head coach Paul Chryst.

The burst to get through the tackles and bouncing it out to the edge—combined with a lateral quickness and a breakaway motor that separates himself from defenders in the open field—makes Cruickshank a prospect who could thrive in Madison.

Though there may not be as many highlights at wide receiver, Cruickshank showed he can reel in passes (just after the 1:15 mark shows him going up the ladder to make a catch). His prospects as a returner, along with fellow 2018 commit, cornerback Alexander Smith, adds some hype to a phase of special teams for coach Chris Haering that could be needed in years to come.

Cruickshank is the 16th prospect for UW’s class of 2018, their first from the state of New York. Freshman quarterback Jack Coan, part of the Badgers’ 2017 recruiting cycle, is another recent prep standout to commit to Wisconsin from the Empire State.