Cruce Brookins

Position:
DB
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Height:
6-2
Weight:
195
Hometown:
Pittsburgh, PA
High School:
Steel Valley

2024: Played in 12 games, serving on special teams and as a primary reserve at strong safety…totaled 35 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups…posted a career-high six stops with an interception (returned 26 yards) against Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl…had his first career INT against West Virginia…logged four tackles in three separate games (Youngstown State, Syracuse and SMU).

2023: Played in two games, preserving a redshirt...appearances came against Florida State and Syracuse...had one tackle against the Seminoles.

HIGH SCHOOL: One of Western Pennsylvania’s most dynamic playmakers as a quarterback and defensive back…led Steel Valley to a 12-1 record, the WPIAL Class 2A championship and PIAA playoffs…in the WPIAL title game, rushed for 170 yards on 17 carries (10.0 avg.) and scored three touchdowns in a 34-14 win over Beaver Falls…finished the season with 2,336 yards in total offense, rushing for 1,625 and passing for 711…accounted for 41 touchdowns (33 rushing, seven passing and one punt return)…on defense, compiled 41 tackles, six interceptions and eight total passes defended…Pennsylvania Football Writers All-Class 2A...Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”…rated Pennsylvania’s No. 11 overall prospect by 247Sports and No. 24 by Rivals…played under Coach Ray Braszo.

PERSONAL: Is the son of Mikala Lyles and Cameron Brookins…has two sisters and one brother…enrolled in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.