WATCH: Cruce Brookins Secures First Career Interception

PITTSBURGH — Cruce Brookins emerged as a name to watch during the offseason in the Pitt football secondary, especially as a takeaway threat.

In the 107th edition of the Backyard Brawl, the redshirt freshman and Steel Valley product stepped up with his first-career interception.

As Pitt pressured West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene with an all-out blitz, Greene sent a ball that was tipped and secured by a rolling Brookins at the Pitt 28-yard line.

Steel Valley stand up! What a sick pick on a deflected pass by former Ironmen star QB Cruce Brookins! 👏 pic.twitter.com/lb70BT6GMg

— Steve Rotstein (@SteveRotstein) September 14, 2024

Brookins was pointed at by the coaching staff and teammates during spring and fall camp as a breakout candidate. Takeaway stickers lined his helmet throughout August on the South Side and he finally translated that onto the field against West Virginia.