Five-star offensive tackle Nick Brooks has committed to the Texas Longhorns, choosing them over other top programs like Georgia and USC. This commitment is a significant win for Texas, bolstering their offensive line, often referred to as the “trenches” in football.
Brooks, a standout at Grayson High School in Georgia, made his decision public on Friday. The addition of Brooks continues the trend for Texas offensive line coach Kyle Flood, who is building one of the nation’s most formidable offensive line groups. Brooks brings an ideal combination of size and potential, standing at 6’7” and weighing 345 pounds. Ranked as the No. 180 overall player and the No. 14 offensive tackle in the 247Sports Composite rankings, Brooks was highly sought after, with 32 scholarship offers from schools across every major conference.
Initially, Brooks committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes as a junior but reopened his recruitment less than two months later. He eventually narrowed his choices down to three schools: USC, Georgia, and Texas, visiting all three programs over the summer. The Longhorns capitalized on having the final visit, successfully persuading Brooks to join them instead of staying with his home-state favorite, Georgia.
Brooks’s journey through high school has been unconventional, as he has changed schools four times in four years. He played his freshman year in Iowa, his sophomore year in Georgia, his junior year back in Iowa, and then returned to Georgia for his senior year. This frequent movement might contribute to a longer development curve as he adjusts to the college level.
His commitment helps Texas climb up the recruiting rankings, moving them to No. 12 in the 247Sports Composite, just behind the Oregon Ducks, and on the cusp of breaking into the top 10.
Brooks fits the profile of the “big humans” that Coach Kyle Flood prefers on his offensive line. While he has impressive size, his athleticism may not quite match that of current Texas player Cameron Williams, but his physical presence poses a challenge for opposing defenders. As a run blocker, Brooks showcases strong play strength and can easily move defenders off the line of scrimmage. However, there are moments when his footwork slows down while trying to maintain and finish a block. He demonstrates a good ability to anticipate defensive movements and shows coordination when used as a pulling blocker. There remains some uncertainty about his pass-blocking abilities, as there is limited tape from his senior season in that aspect, but his potential as a strong run blocker is evident.
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