During the course of the off-season, I had a feeling that Cruce Brookins Cruce Brookins 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Steel Valley | 2023 State PA should be in the nationally-ranked prospect. He floated around the top 50 for the duration of his career at Steel Valley. His overtly dominant performance at both Safety and quarterback forced our hand. This is a national recruit who isn’t getting the national spotlight that he should from the more prominent news outlets. I’m sure he could care less. The former Kent State commit now has his recruitment open, and is scheduled to sign on the 21 of this month. Pitt is expected to be where he lands, I see a bright future for the young man who could be staying close to home. Elite defensive back potential.

So much fun watching one of the best two-way players in the state exemplify both elite DB play and elite athleticism on offense, week after week. Halfway through the season, Brookins has been a force at Safety. Yes, the kid has shown off his athleticism and it’s fun to watch him mess with kids at quarterback, but I can’t help but see flashes of a future star at safety at Kent State University. Some of the hits Brookins has put on kids so far are downright jaw-dropping. All of this without mentioning his skills in pass coverage from any DB position. Cruce acts as the motor that drives Steel Valley.

Cruce Brookins Cruce Brookins 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Steel Valley | 2023 State PA Led Steel Valley to a victory finishing with 185 yds, 4 TDs & 8 tackles. On one of his long TD runs, Cruce showed great sustained top-end speed. At Free Safety he ran the alley well & delivered a couple of hard hits. 

Cruce has a high football IQ & is an elite athlete on both sides of the ball. He has good DB fundamental skills. He has a good pedal with good hips, & covers a lot of ground on the backend. Brookins anticipation & break on the football is one of best in the WPIAL. A big skill Cruce possesses is accelerating breakaway speed. Cruce is a ball hawk who is very skilled at making plays on the football. He had 6 INTs in 2021 at the FS position. CB is a punishing hitter from the free & is a good open field tackler. On offense, He is elusive & dynamic with the ball in hand. At QB Cruce is primarily a running QB, but leads the offense well.