Wisconsin Football: Bold predictions for the rest of the 2018 season
Aron Cruickshank will score a touchdown
The lightning-fast freshman has been limited mostly to just kick return duties this year. He has yet to record a catch and only has taken two carries for 12 yards. He’s already exhausted the possibility that he will redshirt by playing in more than four games. It’s only a matter of time before he gets more mixed into the offense as he continues to grow stronger as a collegiate athlete.
His small stature was the biggest concern coming into the season. However, after being the main kick return guy and consequently being on the wrong end of several big hits, it’s clear that Cruickshank is tough enough to handle the physicality of the Big Ten. So, what’s keeping him out of the offense?
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It’s unlikely Cruickshank will find any amount of consistent snaps. But he doesn’t need them. He’s explosive enough to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. And he knows that more than anybody.
He’s most likely to score on a kick return because that’s where all of his touches are coming. And as long as he’s not getting snaps on offense, he’s going to remain hungry on special teams and take risks on returns. Sometimes it might not go well, but all it takes is one small seam to free him. If he’s not taking the ball out of the end zone then he’s never going to break a big return.
Until he makes a major mistake, I’m all for Cruickshank going for the home run on kick returns. One of these times the other team won’t be able to even put a finger on him. And Paul Chryst will take note and give him a few looks on offense.