NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Tahj Brooks, RB – Texas Tech
3.55 GPA – Sport Management
Head Coach: Joey McGuire | Athletics Director: Kirby Hocutt
Faculty Athletics Representative: Brian Shannon
Recipient of National Football League Scholar-Athlete Award
A punishing rusher at 5-feet-10 and 230 pounds, with excellent vision and balance, Tahj Brooks has established himself as one of the top running backs in the nation while amassing a 3.55 GPA in the classroom. The Manor, Texas, native now become the Red Raiders sixth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 pick, Brooks graduated last December with a degree in sport management with a minor in advertising. He is currently working towards a certificate in sports communications. He is a Dean's List and is a President's List honoree.
A 2023 First Team All-Big 12 selection, Brooks has rushed for 3,856 yards in his career, needing 363 yards to become the all-time leading rusher in Texas Tech history. He has rushed for 804 yards this season, which ranks him 11th in the nation. During his stellar 2023 season, Brooks rushed for 1,538 yards, the fourth best in school history, and he ranked second in the Big 12, averaging 118.3 rushing yards per game, and both numbers placed him fourth in the nation last year.
Currently averaging 5.4 yards per carry during his career, Brooks is looking to become only the fourth Red Raider in program history to lead the team in rushing in four different seasons. He holds multiple spots in the Red Raiders records books, including rushing attempts, career 100-yard games, rushing touchdowns and touchdown totals and career all-purpose yards.
A 2024 team captain, his efforts have contributed to three straight bowl victories at the 2021 Liberty Bowl, 2022 Texas Bowl and the 2023 Independence Bowl. The Red Raiders are currently 5-2 and rank fourth in the Big 12.
Off the field, Brooks has hosted a youth football camp in his hometown the last two summers. He is a regular participant in the team's community service initiatives, often visiting local schools to mentor students in the area. He is a member of head coach Joey McGuire's captains circle of upperclassmen leaders, and he interned with the athletics department's communication office in 2023.
(All stats as of Oct. 23, 2024)
