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Texas Tech football: Senior Red Raiders on offense that we will hate to see go

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Tahj Brooks #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Tahj Brooks #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Sep 30, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) rushes against Houston Cougars defensive back Jamal Morris (25) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) rushes against Houston Cougars defensive back Jamal Morris (25) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Tahj Brooks has been a Texas Tech warrior in 2023

Few players that I can remember have done more in the course of one season to enhance their legacy as a Red Raider than Tahj Brooks.  Already with 1,166 rushing yards this season with at least two games remaining, he’s put together one of the best seasons a Red Raider running back has ever had.  Along the way, he’s become a warrior given that the entire offense has rested upon his shoulders.

Since Shough was lost for the year and Behren Morton injured his throwing shoulder in the same game at West Virginia in late September, Tech has asked Brooks to be the driving force behind the offense and he’s answered the bell in a tremendous way.

Starting with that loss to the Mountaineers, Brooks has averaged 26.8 carries per game.  That’s an unusually high number of touches for a modern-day running back in the era of the spread offense.

This season, Brooks has gone from being a nice part-time player who split carries with SaRodorick Thompson for three seasons to being one of the best running backs in the country.  He’s also made himself into an NFL Draft prospect, which no one was calling him prior to the season.

Brooks could come back next season due to the extra COVID-19 year that he still has at his disposal but all indications are that he will try to make it at the next level instead.  That’s a wise decision given how short the lifespan of running backs can be.

It isn’t a stretch to say that Brooks is the best Red Raider running back since Deandre Washington and he could be one of the three best of the last 25 years (along with Taurean Henderson).  He leaves a massive hole to fill and how Tech will do that isn’t clear at this time given that no one on the current roster has shown any indication of being ready to step into Brooks’ shoes.

Because he has made himself into an absolute warrior on the field and because he’s been the best, and at times, only, weapon this team has had at its disposal, he’s going to be more than difficult to replace.  That’s why many Red Raider fans will hate to say goodbye to Tahj Brooks on Senior Day.

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