Tahj Brooks
Place a Wager on Tahj BrooksTahj Brooks, a formidable presence in the American football landscape, was born on May 13, 2002. Finding his passion and prowess in the challenging position of a running back, he has made significant strides in his journey – a journey that is now firmly entrenched within the prestigious ranks of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
As a budding football enthusiast, Brooks honed his skills and prowess at Manor High School in Manor, Texas. Little did the proud landscape of Manor know that this determined youngster would one day rush for over 4,400 yards and manifest 65 total touchdowns during his school career, engraving his name in local football folklore.
Recognizing his immense potential, Texas Tech University scouts saw an impressive future in Brooks. Not one to back down from an opportunity to grow, both on and off the field, he committed to play college football at Texas Tech University, embarking on a new phase in his football journey.
He debuted as a true freshman in 2020 and showed an early spark of brilliance. Brooks proved his mettle in the inaugural season, rushing for 255 yards on 69 carries, and securing four touchdowns over ten remarkable games, each one a momentous stepping stone in his career.
During his sophomore year in 2021, Tahj only escalated his form. He started four out of nine games, showcasing not just his skills, but his leadership abilities. He was proud to lead the team with 568 yards on 87 carries and solidify his place by scoring seven remarkable touchdowns. Again leading from the front, his 2022 season was equally electrifying. Career-best 691 yards on 147 carries were duly recorded, with seven touchdowns over 13 games with six starts.
Fast-forwarding to his senior year in 2023, Brooks returned as the key player. Establishing his dominance on the turf, he finished with 100-yards rushing in four back-to-back games during the first half of the season; thus, becoming the first Texas Tech running back in the 21st century to do so. Against TCU, Brooks recorded his sixth 100-yard rush game of the season, making him the first Texas Tech running back to go beyond the 1,000 yards in a single season since the phenomenal DeAndré Washington in 2015.
In recognition of his impeccable performance, Brooks was esteemed as a semifinalist for the esteemed 2023 Doak Walker Award. In a testament to his love for the game and his commitment to Texas Tech, on December 11th, 2023, Brooks shared that he would be returning for the next season, promising another exciting chapter of American football to look forward to in 2024. And so, the saga of Tahj Brooks, the unstoppable running back, continues, keeping fans and football enthusiasts alike on the edges of their seats.