Steel Valley's Cruce Brookins eyes starring role in Pitt's defense

At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Pitt tight end Malachi Thomas has the kind of frame that sets him up well one-on-one against opposing defensive backs.

But so far through the Panthers’ fall camp, Thomas has had tough recurring battles with one of his teammates, a safety he has 2 inches and 45 pounds on: Cruce Brookins.

“Cruce, man-to-man and play recognition, he knows what you’re going to do before you do it,” Thomas said. “It’s hard to beat him. You’ve got to do something different every time you go against him.”

Brookins, a Steel Valley alum, has been one of the talks of camp as the Panthers progress through practices at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.

Now a redshirt sophomore, he’s eyeing the role of Pitt’s starting strong safety next to Javon McIntyre.

This fall will be McIntyre’s fifth at Pitt.

In 2024, he teamed up with Donovan McMillon, whom the Cleveland Browns signed as an undrafted free agent this spring.

Brookins made a significant impression while backing up McMillon, recording 35 tackles and two interceptions in his first collegiate action.

Brookins was the only Panthers defender aside from Kyle Louis (team-high four) to have multiple interceptions.

Now Brookins has demonstrated to teammates that he is prepared to become a more regular defensive contributor.

“Cruce is definitely ready,” McIntyre said. “He was ready last year. This year, he’s just come together in knowing the plays (and) being detail-oriented. The big plays, Cruce is always going to cover. That’s the type of player he is.

“But now, he’s being where he’s supposed to be, being a guy, being more vocal and understanding the defense and what offenses are doing to attack our defense.”

In his one-year sample size with the Panthers, Brookins made creating splash plays and turnovers a staple of his game.

Earlier during camp, coach Pat Narduzzi lamented the 19 dropped interceptions Pitt apparently had last season (Narduzzi said the dropped picks were a statistic his staff cataloged).

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Steel Valley grad Cruce Brookins is a key player in Pitt’s secondary.

But Brookins is not a player he has to worry about when there are opportunities to come down with balls.

“Cruce is a ballhawk,” Narduzzi said. “The great thing about Cruce is, other guys get opportunities, but when Cruce gets his opportunity, he catches it. … Cruce catches the ball and makes plays with it. That’s what’s exciting about him, so we’ve got to get everybody else to the same level as Cruce is.”

With a projected larger role in the defense comes more responsibility. That translates to working harder on and off the field, being dedicated in the film room and doing everything possible to grow as a defensive back.

That’s the attitude Brookins has adopted as Pitt’s season-opener Aug. 30 vs. Duquesne approaches.

“It takes more discipline, knowing my role, where I’ve got to be and just knowing situational football. Learning things like that makes me a better player,” Brookins said.

Narduzzi might have been impressed with Brookins’ collegiate debut, but he still expects to see improvement and growth this fall.

Most of all, Narduzzi wants to see Brookins perform at the same high level on every play.

Time will tell whether he’s able to answer that call, but, at this stage of camp, his coach likes what he’s seeing.

“Cruce started off with a splash, (then) he kind of hit that freshman rookie wall,” Narduzzi said. “If you look back at all of our NFL players having a lot of success, they’re consistent. Cruce has been consistent.

“The great players are consistent with what they’re doing, and that’s what you see out of him. He knows what to do, he reads the right keys. He’s consistent like you’re supposed to be.”