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Texas Tech football: Freshmen impress in week one

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Alan Bowman of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball to running back Tahj Brooks #28 during the first half of the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Alan Bowman of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball to running back Tahj Brooks #28 during the first half of the college football game against the Houston Baptist Huskies on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Running back Tahj Brooks #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs the ball against safety Tra Fluellen #17 of the Houston Baptist Huskies during the first half of the college football game on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Running back Tahj Brooks #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs the ball against safety Tra Fluellen #17 of the Houston Baptist Huskies during the first half of the college football game on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

RB Tahj Brooks

On the surface, freshman RB Tahj Brooks’ final stat line doesn’t look all that notable.  He carried the ball eight times for 25 yards and a TD.  But in that limited action, he certainly opened some eyes.

What stood out most about Brooks’ performance was his explosiveness.  He arrived with the reputation for being a physical back being as he is already 215 pounds but his burst was noticeable against HBU.

On more than one occasion, he showed the ability to make defenders miss.  What’s more, he seemed to be able to get to full speed rather quickly allowing him to hit the hole hard and take on defenders by delivering the hit rather than absorbing the punishment.

What’s more, he proved to be a weapon in the passing game.  In fact, the first touch of his career was a reception that went for 10 yards and a first down.  Later in the game, he took a swing pass from Alan Bowman and made a couple of defenders miss on his way to a 16-yard gain.

In all, the Texas Tech running backs caught six passes for 51 yards.  That’s a component of the offense that was underutilized last year but after one game, it appears that Alan Bowman is more than comfortable getting the ball to his backs through the air.

It was a solid debut from Brooks who has an important role to play this season.  He will need to be ready to spell SaRodorick Thompson this year and run tough between the tackles as he did on Saturday night.  And after what we saw out of him in his first game (as well as the work of transfer Chadarius Townsend) the Red Raider RB depth chart looks to be in much better shape this season.

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