Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Brooks was a three-star recruit from Manor High School in Manor, Texas in the class of 2020
Running back Tahj Brooks became Texas Tech’s career rushing leader this past season. The college veteran lacks elite athleticism, but his vision and footwork make him a threat to rip off chunk plays in an inside zone scheme. Brooks projects as a mid-Day 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Tahj Brooks, RB Texas Tech: 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Fifth-year running back from Manor, Texas
Background: Brooks was a three-star recruit from Manor High School in Manor, Texas in the class of 2020. He was the No. 624 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 642 for On3.com. Brooks was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 79 grade out of 100. He originally committed to Tulsa before flipping to Texas Tech. Brooks lettered all four years in high school, amassing 1,000 rushing yards three times and finishing his high school career with more than 4,400 rushing yards and 65 total touchdowns. He totaled 239 carries for 1,807 yards and 26 total touchdowns as a senior. Brooks was a First Team All-District selection as a junior when he ran for 1,201 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 267 yards and four additional scores. As a sophomore, he carried the ball 141 times for 1,150 yards and ten touchdowns on his way to earning First Team All-District honors. He carried the ball 66 times for 259 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.
Injuries & Off-Field: Missed four games in 2021 with a lower leg injury, missed 2024 Washington State game with an arm injury
Awards: 2023 First Team All-Big 12, 2024 Second Team All-Big 12, Texas Tech All-Team Leading Rusher
Pros: Jump cuts to make penetrating defenders miss in the backfield, quick and efficient footwork, patient footwork, patience and vision to sort through muddy boxes, powerful jump cuts between the tackles, sharp cuts to evade tacklers in the hole, light footwork makes for easy cuts, pacing to maximize blocks, dead leg, stiff arm, finds cutback lanes in crowded spaces to green grass, cuts to space in the open field, contact balance to survive the first hit, lows his shoulder into contact, absorbs high contact and remains upright, spins off contact in the open field, churns legs through contact to finish falling forward, goal line and short yardage option, moves the pile, density in his frame to stonewall blitzers
Cons: Limited special teams experience, two fumbles in each of past two seasons, patient to a fault, runs with a high pad level, tight hips limit lateral explosiveness, lacks the acceleration to maximize small gaps, acceleration and breakaway speed, limited second gear, lacks top shelf burst, caught from behind, not twitchy, inconsistent breaking early contact, contact balance is good but not great, limited jukes and elusiveness in the open field, not a significant contributor in the passing game, limited route tree, late to assist linemen or tight ends in pass pro, poor pass pro technique, lands initial blow in pass pro but doesn’t sustain block
Overview: Brooks amassed 879 carries across his five college seasons. He has limited special teams experience and has fumbled twice in each of the past two seasons, albeit while averaging 288 carries per year during that stretch. Brooks’ quick, light, and efficient footwork helps him make powerful jump cuts when navigating between the tackles. He also executes jump cuts early in the play to make penetrating defenders miss in the backfield or evade would-be tacklers in the hole. Brooks is a patient runner who lets lanes develop and gradually works his way through muddy boxes with his impressive vision. His pacing sets up blockers for success and maximizes the ground they cover. However, this running style is a double-edged sword. Brooks’ patience backfires sometimes by giving defenders extra time to swarm and stop run plays for limited to no gain. The fifth-year prospect runs with an elevated pad level, and hip tightness limits his lateral explosiveness and creativity as a runner. He lacks the acceleration to blow past the defense’s second layer and stress pursuit angles from off-ball defenders. His limited second gear and top speed allow defenders to catch him from behind. Brooks uses a dead leg and stiff arm to elude defenders. He finds cutback lanes once he reaches the second level that lead to open space. The Texas native’s lack of twitch and open field elusiveness leads to him taking on a lot of contact. He possesses the contact balance to survive the first hit, but this skill falls short of elite. Brooks absorbs contact high on his frame but remains upright. He churns his legs through tackle attempts to finish plays falling forward. He generates consistent production on goal line and short yardage touches. Brooks isn’t a significant threat in the passing game. He runs a limited route tree and has poor processing and technique in pass protection. Brooks possesses the frame to stonewall blitzers but fails to quickly identify threats and sustain blocks.
Overall, Brooks is a hard-running veteran with excellent footwork and vision to find hidden yardage between the tackles and get the most out of his offensive line’s efforts. His athletic limitations, limited passing down upside, and high college carry total prevent him from contending for a feature role at the NFL level.
Role & Scheme: Rotational back in an inside zone scheme
Round Grade: Late Fifth to Early Sixth Round
Size: 5'9 1/4", 214 lbs. (NFL Combine)
Submitted: 03-21-25