Cassell Cruickshank Cassell Cruickshank 6'6" | 220 lbs | EDGE E.E. Smith | 2028 State NC continues to show why he is considered one of the premier athletes in the country in the 2028 class. He has everything you want from a high-level edge prospect—size, length, athleticism, power, and explosiveness—but his elite get-off is what truly separates him. At times during the scrimmage, his first step was simply overwhelming.

With it being a scrimmage, Cruickshank wasn’t finishing plays by taking the quarterback to the ground, but he still got home several times and consistently disrupted the pocket. Running backs attempting to chip him had almost no chance of slowing him down once he exploded off the line. He is already a monster on the field, but the scary part is how much better he can still become.

The projected five-star prospect has only scratched the surface of his potential. This is just his fourth year playing football, and he is already displaying traits that very few edge defenders possess. As his technique and understanding of the position continue to develop, Cruickshank’s ceiling is about as high as it gets.

Cruickshank has a ceiling as high as any player in the class, and even though he’s still raw and inexperienced, the athletic profile speaks for itself. There’s a difference in being a high-upside player and a truly elite college prospect, especially at the edge position, though. Cruickshank cleared that bar for us during this cycle, and we’re not alone. It seems like every Power Four team in the country jumped at the opportunity to offer him this spring.

Cruickshank’s name popped up on our radar in the summer, but at that point, he was still an “off the bus” guy, somebody who looked extremely impressive in a uniform, but hadn’t had the on-field production yet. While we expected the production to come, you can never know for certain. But Cruickshank left no doubt this season, with five sacks in limited action as a sophomore. There’s still some projection here, but we love what we see so far.

Cruickshank is a rising star and already regarded as one of the nation’s top young pass rushers, currently ranked #16 at edge. A true game-changer, he has the size and skill to dominate up front, but it’s his freakish speed and explosiveness that set him apart. Offenses are forced to account for him on every snap, yet even with extra attention he finds ways to disrupt. Cruickshank is the type of defender who can tilt the field and swing momentum with a single play.

Cruickshank delivered a standout all-around performance, making his presence felt in every phase of the defense. He was active in the flats disrupting passing lanes, brought pressure off the edge as a pass rusher, and held strong against the run. His versatility and high motor allow him to impact the game from multiple spots, making him one of the more impressive defensive performers on the field.

Cassell Cruickshank Cassell Cruickshank 6'6" | 220 lbs | EDGE E.E. Smith | 2028 State NC | Edge | E.E. Smith | c/o 2028

A rising talent off the edge, Cruickshank has the ability to blow up an opponent’s entire game plan. His quickness and disruptive style make him a nightmare for offenses to block. The Golden Bulls will need a big performance from him Friday night to avoid slipping to 0-2 against a balanced Ashley squad.

Standing nearly 6’6″, Cassell Cruickshank Cassell Cruickshank 6'6" | 220 lbs | EDGE E.E. Smith | 2028 State NC is a towering edge defender with a relentless motor. Though nagging injuries limited his freshman campaign, he showed flashes at the Robco Jamboree of just how dominant he can be. Still raw in some areas, Cruickshank racked up multiple tackles for loss and several sacks, overwhelming blockers with his length and energy. If he continues to develop, he has the potential to become one of the most dominant defensive linemen the region has seen in years.

Cassell Cruickshank Cassell Cruickshank 6'6" | 220 lbs | EDGE E.E. Smith | 2028 State NC is a name to remember in the area. The sophomore edge rusher at E.E. Smith already boasts prototypical Power Four size and talent, standing at 6’6″ and over 200 pounds. With a relentless motor and a highly competitive spirit, Cruickshank is poised for a breakout season.