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Tahj Brooks looks to end a streak 8 years in the making. The year is 2015. Mahomes has exploded onto the college football scene. The Red Raiders would turn in one of Kingsbury’s only decent seasons, finishing with 7 wins. They were actually a handful of plays away from a few more wins that year too.
Leading the Red Raiders on the ground was future NFL running back DeAndre Washington who would rush for an insane 1,400+ yards despite the pass happy system he resided in as College Football welcomed one of the greatest offensive seasons in history.
Since that year, The Red Raiders have not seen a thousand-yard rusher. In fact, the Red Raiders have not had a back go over 800 yards since that performance, with Justin Stockton hitting 797 for himself in 2017.
Part of the reason for this has been a by committee approach that has had a lot of success. Texas Tech has had great backfields, but no clear superstar. Just a handful of talented workhorses who shared the load.
The system has changed is another way to look at it, but I do not buy that Kingsbury’s system was more friendly to running backs than the systems that followed his departure.
Whatever the case, that streak ends this year. Texas Tech once again has a good backfield, with numerous backs poised for touches. But for the first time in a long time, one back is going to be running the show.
Tahj Brooks has led the Red Raiders in rushing the last two seasons, and this year he goes over a 1,000 yards to compliment a passing attack that looks ready for another step forward.
Brooks is a big back at 5’10 and 230 (listed by ESPN), but he has true homerun potential. Breaking off big chunk runs is a staple of his game as he hits a hole hard and when he is in open space bringing him down is a tough proposition for any poor defensive back who tries.
Brooks has split carries with another elite back, as we all know and now will be getting the lion’s share of touches. Assuming he eats at least half of the touches Thompson consumed (a reasonable guess) at his impressive 4.7YPC mark, Brooks would cross the 1,000 yard mark on the ground.
It is Brooks time in Lubbock, and it will be a hell of a show.
