PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Aron Cruickshank is back on the field for Rutgers football as the star wide receiver continues to work towards full fitness and recovery from last season’s season-ending injury.
The Rutgers wide receiver saw last season cut short after five games due to a season-ending leg injury. The then junior wide receiver was on pace for a breakout season, with 20 catches for 244 receiving yards with two touchdowns.
Speaking on Wednesday, Cruickshank said that it wasn’t “a minor injury, this is a life-changing injury.”
“I actually feel like I’m working towards it. I’m working with the trainers, trying to get a good plan for me but I feel like I’m doing pretty well right now,” Cruickshank said following practice on Wednesday.
“And this camp is fun. I get to play football with my guys again. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that.”
Earlier in the week, head coach Greg Schiano praised Cruickshank’s development. When he joined Rutgers in 2020 following two seasons at Wisconsin, Cruickshank was not seen as a weapon in the offense. Instead, he was relegated to primarily being a special teams standout.
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Schiano now sees a far more complete player in Cruickshank, who is arguably the fastest player on the Rutgers roster and one of the fastest athletes in the Big Ten.
“Aron worked himself into being a really good receiver, not only a return man,” Schiano told reporters.
“He had the surgery so we were very concerned. And you know, we’re not out of the woods yet. But he’s making progress and he’s taking care of himself and he’s healing well, and he’s playing – he’s playing he’s not full load yet, but he’s close. And we just got to keep bringing him along at a steady pace, but he needs to be a good, good player for us for sure.”
The goal, Cruickshank says, is to make an impact as a wide receiver and on special teams. It is something he believes he is trending towards.
“I was always just wanting to let everybody know I’m not just a special team this or return guy,” Cruickshank said.
“I like to just get the ball in my hands and do everything I can. So it feels good to actually get acknowledgment but I’m not done yet.”
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