Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 23): Rutgers' Aron Cruickshank Signs with Steelers, Ohio State Lands 5-Star

Former Rutgers football wide receiver Aron Cruickshank has signed a one-year deal to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin after playing for coach Greg Schiano for the past three years. Additionally, Ohio State and coach Ryan Day picked up a commitment from 2024 five-star Eddrick Houston.

After tearing it up for three years in Piscataway, Aron Cruickshank didn't have to travel far to begin his journey in the NFL.

The former star at Rutgers under coach Greg Schiano originally signed with the Chicago Bears during the summer after not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he's now taking his talents to Pittsburgh to play for coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers on a one-year deal. 

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, another five-star football prospect in the class of 2024, Eddrick Houston, committed to coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Aron Cruickshank Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers

If there's one thing the Steelers have been good at under Tomlin, it's been getting talented wide receivers in the building and making stars out of them. 

Enter Aron Cruickshank. 

Clocking in at just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Cruickshank has never been the most physically dominant receiver on the planet. But that's never stopped him from being a terrifying threat to defenses on the field.

Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Cruickshank attended Wisconsin to play for former coach Paul Chryst out of high school in 2018. The slender wideout saw plenty of action in Madison as a return specialist, taking back two kickoffs for touchdowns during the 2019 season, but was hardly ever used as a pass catcher.

That changed when he transferred to Rutgers in the 2020 offseason. Cruickshank maintained his status as an electrifying kick returner (taking back two more kickoffs for touchdowns during the '20 season), while also racking up 99 receptions for 968 yards during the past three seasons. 

The Steelers once again have one of the most loaded depth charts at the wide receiver position in the entire NFL. From George Pickens, to Diontae Johnson, to even names of old like Allen Robinson, Pittsburgh is loaded with quality pass catchers. Even after being signed, it's plenty likely that Cruickshank rarely ever sees the field for regular season snaps or even plays at all. The contract mainly just gives the speedster from Rutgers the chance to stick around in an NFL building and make his mark.

But regardless, the signing is huge for Cruickshank, who once again is getting the chance to prove his doubters wrong. 

Eddrick Houston Commits to Ohio State

It feels pretty unfair that Ohio State can already have arguably the best defensive line in the country in 2023, while at the same time collecting five-star 2024 commits that will only make them better. 

Fair or not, Eddrick Houston is coming to Columbus. The superstar prospect from Buford, Ga., picked the Buckeyes over several other national title contenders in Georgia, Alabama, USC and Clemson.

BREAKING: Five-Star DL Eddrick Houston has Committed to Ohio State!

The 6’4 270 DL from Buford, GA chose the Buckeyes over USC, Clemson, Georgia, & Alabama

“Columbus here I come!”https://t.co/1ZYIm5wm0W pic.twitter.com/KDXw6Gut7s

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 22, 2023

Houston is Ohio State's 22nd commit in the class of 2024, which ranks No. 2 overall in the nation, according to 247 Sports. He's also the fourth five-star in the class for OSU, and the second five-star defensive lineman, along with Justin Scott.

For more on the commitment of Houston, check out the full story on our sister site Buckeyes Now. 

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