Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Lacks true breakaway speed and acceleration to consistently threaten home run plays – more of a 20-yard chunk runner than 60-yard scorer.
• Sometimes overthinks instead of trusting instincts, causing slight hesitation that negates his natural quickness in certain situations.
• Absorbed significant punishment with 633 touches over final two seasons – potential durability concerns given physical running style.
• Limited route-running experience beyond checkdowns and screens – hasn't shown ability to stretch defenses vertically in passing game.
• Blitz recognition occasionally inconsistent – shows willingness but sometimes misdiagnoses most immediate threat in protection schemes.

Scouting Report: Summary

Watching Tahj Brooks' film reveals a Day 3 talent who makes up for average athletic traits with excellent running instincts and physicality. His natural feel for finding cutback lanes and creating in tight quarters gives him immediate value as a rotational back in a zone-blocking system. What jumps off the tape is his remarkable ability to turn ordinary runs into chunk gains through sheer determination and surprising contact balance for his compact build.

Brooks thrives in downhill, one-cut zone schemes where his decisive plant-and-go ability creates immediate momentum. When I watch his tape against Iowa State and Oklahoma State, his vision to set up blocks and exploit backside cutback lanes jumps off the screen. He's built to punish arm tackles and fall forward through contact. What separates him is how he uses subtle hesitation moves to manipulate second-level defenders before delivering the blow on his terms. His pass protection shows genuine desire, but his receiving limitations mean he'll need to dominate early-down work to earn third-down opportunities. He's the kind of back who wears defenses down over four quarters – not with home runs, but with repeated body blows that accumulate.

Brooks brings something you can't measure at the combine – football character that elevates everyone around him. This guy runs angry when defenders challenge him, showing the competitive fire scouts love. Teams will value his academic background as evidence of his processing speed and work ethic, traits that typically translate to longevity in the league. While his athletic ceiling caps his draft position, Brooks has the mental toughness and technical proficiency to carve out a role that exceeds his draft slot, potentially developing into a valuable committee piece who can handle significant carries when called upon.