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Aron Cruickshank to Wisconsin: Badgers add to impressive 2018 class

By Taylor Johnson

Sep 17, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; A Wisconsin flag flies over Camp Randall Stadium prior to the game between the Georgia State Panthers and Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; A Wisconsin flag flies over Camp Randall Stadium prior to the game between the Georgia State Panthers and Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Already a stacked 2018 recruiting class, the Wisconsin Badgers added commit number 16 Tuesday with athlete Aron Cruickshank.

June has been a busy month for Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst and his coaching staff. The recruiting train kept rolling as they added their 16th recruit-sixth this month-in the class of 2018 with Cruickshank.

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A three-star athlete, the Brooklyn, NY native had narrowed down his choice between Wisconsin and Penn State before choosing the Badgers. He also held offers from UConn, Michigan, Ohio State, and Syracuse among others.

Despite playing quarterback in high school, the plan is to have Cruickshank play wide receiver when he comes to Madison. Judging by his highlight reel from his junior season, he’s more than capable of being used a variety of different ways including kick returns. First thing that pops in my mind is utilizing Cruickshank as someone to run the jet sweep.

That jet sweep role offensive chess piece type role is currently occupied by WR Jazz Peavy.  However, both Peavy and fellow WR George Rushing are seniors meaning someone else will need to emerge for Wisconsin to fill that role in 2018.  That jet sweep play can be devastating for defenses as Peavy has proven in his time in Madison.  He ran the ball 21 times last season gaining 318 yards for a robust 15.1/carry average along with a TD.  Peavy carved up the Buckeyes in the first half last season gaining 70 yards on six carries. He broke open the Axe game against Minnesota with a 71-yard rumble leading to the go ahead score in the fourth quarter.

Even as a decoy the play is effective because the defense has to account it for it and remove a defender from the box to shadow the sweep action.  This helps open up the ground game between the tackles.  It will be interesting to see if the Badgers use Cruickshank in jet sweep plays as a freshman considering it’s not a complex play call and a good way for a young player to get some early reps.

Cruickshank is ranked as the 22nd athlete in the country by 247Sports. ESPN has him ranked 23rd, but also as a four-star prospect. Rivals has him listed as wide receiver already, ranking him ninth in the state. Scout also lists Cruickshank at wide out, ranking him 78th at the position in the country.

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As it stands right now, this class is already inside the top 25 in the country.