Tahj Brooks RB Texas Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Tahj Brooks RB Texas Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (22%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (22%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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89% |
| Break Tackles: |
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68% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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59% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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68% |
| Run Blocking: |
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68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#114
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 52 College Snaps: 2388 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dameon Pierce - Florida |
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69% |
| Tyler Allgeier - BYU |
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56% |
| Sean Tucker - Syracuse |
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54% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Tahj Brooks, a standout running back from Texas Tech, enters the NFL Draft as one of the most productive backs in Red Raiders history. The 5'10", 230-pound bruiser capped off his collegiate career with a stellar senior campaign, rushing for 1,538 yards and 10 touchdowns on 290 carries. Brooks consistently improved his production each season, culminating in a 2023 performance that saw him average an impressive 118.3 yards per game.A Manor, Texas native, Brooks was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, where he amassed over 4,400 rushing yards and 65 total touchdowns. He made an immediate impact at Texas Tech, appearing in all 10 games as a true freshman in 2020. Brooks's trajectory continued upward, as he led the team in rushing in both his sophomore and junior seasons before his breakout senior year.
Brooks's collegiate accolades include first-team All-Big 12 honors and being named a semifinalist for both the Doak Walker and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards in 2023. He finished his Texas Tech career with 3,052 rushing yards, good for seventh all-time in school history, and demonstrated durability by playing in 41 career games.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Powerful, compact build allows for excellent contact balance and ability to break tackles consistently
- Displays good vision and patience to set up blocks, particularly in zone schemes
- Effective pass protector with willingness and technique to take on blitzers
- Durable runner who handled a heavy workload (290 carries in 2023) without significant drop-off
- Improved production each season, showing development and adaptability to increased roles
- Soft hands out of the backfield, providing a reliable check-down option for quarterbacks
- Runs with a low center of gravity, making him difficult to bring down on initial contact
- Demonstrated ability to be a workhorse back, with multiple 30+ carry games in 2023
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite top-end speed, which may limit big-play potential at the next level
- Not exceptionally elusive in space, relying more on power than agility to evade defenders
- Limited experience as a primary receiving threat out of the backfield
- May struggle to create separation against NFL-caliber linebackers in coverage
- Could improve decisiveness when hitting holes, occasionally dancing behind the line of scrimmage
Scouting Report: Summary
Brooks projects as a solid NFL contributor with the potential to develop into a starter in the right system. His power running style and pass-blocking prowess make him an attractive option for teams looking to add depth to their backfield. While he may not possess breakaway speed, Brooks's consistency and durability should translate well to the next level.NFL scouts will likely view Brooks as a potential early-down back who can wear down defenses and pick up tough yardage between the tackles. His ability to pass protect will be valued, potentially allowing him to see the field on third downs. Teams employing zone-blocking schemes may find Brooks particularly appealing, given his vision and patience.
Overall, Tahj Brooks has the tools to carve out a role in an NFL backfield. While he may not be a home-run hitter, his reliability and toughness should make him a valuable asset to whichever team selects him in the upcoming draft.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
How other scouting services rate Tahj Brooks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
148.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
18.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.