Full release below:
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks was named a finalist Wednesday for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, the premier scholar-athlete award that is annually presented by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
In recognition of being tabbed a finalist, Brooks will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. He will travel to Las Vegas on Dec. 10 for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner where one of the 16 finalists will be presented with the Campbell Trophy for being the nation’s top student-athlete to “combine academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.”
Brooks becomes the sixth Red Raider in program history and the first since 2012 to be recognized as a NFF National Scholar-Athlete, joining a prestigious list that includes the likes of John Scovell (1967), Keith Cockrum (1999), Kliff Kingsbury (2002), Graham Harrell (2008) and Cody Davis (2012).
“Tahj Brooks is not only one of the best players in college football but also one of the best students and teammates I’ve had the privilege to coach,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said. “He is more than deserving of this honor. Tahj will forever be remembered as one of the best players in our history, and his inclusion as a Campbell Trophy finalist further exemplifies that. We look forward to celebrating his success the remainder of this season and again at the NFF Awards Dinner in December.”
Brooks was selected as a finalist from a record number of 204 semifinalists submitted to the NFF nationwide from across all NCAA divisions and the NAIA. Candidates must be either a senior player in his final year of eligibility or be a graduated player or graduate transfer who has already earned a bachelor’s degree. Each candidate must have a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale to go along with outstanding football ability as a starter or significant contributor as well as exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
Those attributes have more than described Brooks throughout his tenure as a Red Raider.
Now in his fifth season, Brooks is on pace to become Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher as he needs 363 yard to match Byron Hanspard’s record entering this Saturday’s road trip to TCU. Brooks has totaled 3,856 yards on the ground over his career, including 804 already this season in only six games played. He currently ranks third nationally for rushing yards per game (134.0) and 11th in total rushing yards.
Brooks entered the top 10 in Big 12 Conference history this past weekend for career rushing yards. He is only 144 rushing yards shy of becoming the third Red Raider all-time and the ninth Big 12 player in history to rush for at least 4,000 yards in a career. Brooks is also on pace to snap Texas Tech’s career rushing attempts record and ranks in the top five for both career 100-yard games and rushing touchdowns.
Known for his patient running style, Brooks is a multi-year team captain who has helped push the Red Raiders to three-consecutive bowl victories at the 2021 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl and the 2023 Radiant Technologies Independence Bowl. The Red Raiders are currently 5-2 overall this season and 3-1 in Big 12 play, only one win shy of bowl eligibility for the fourth-consecutive season.
Off the field, Brooks has hosted a youth football camp in his hometown of Manor, Texas, outside of Austin the last two summers. He is a regular participant in Texas Tech’s community service initiatives, often visiting local schools to mentor students throughout West Texas.
In the classroom, Brooks is a three-time first team Academic All-Big 12 selection who earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management with a minor in advertising last December. Brooks boasted a 3.55 GPA as an undergraduate student as he is currently pursuing a certificate in sports communications during his final season as a Red Raider.
For the latest news on Brooks and his chase of Texas Tech’s all-time rushing record, please visit TahjTime.com.
2024 William V. Campbell Trophy Finalists
Tahj Brooks, RB – Texas Tech (3.55 GPA – Sport Management)
Robert Coury, LB – Carnegie Mellon [PA] (3.97 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
Jaxson Dart, QB – Ole Miss (3.71 GPA – Business)
Beau Freyler, DB – Iowa State (3.91 GPA – Kinesiology)
Dillon Gabriel, QB – Oregon (3.43 GPA – Multidisciplinary Studies)
Ashton Gillotte, DL – Louisville (3.69 GPA – Communications)
Brody Grebe, DE – Montana State (3.93 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
Mark Gronowski, QB – South Dakota State (3.76 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
Terrance Hollon, LB – Howard (3.90 GPA – Health Science)
Jack Kiser, LB – Notre Dame (3.82 GPA – Business Analytics)
Luke Lehnen, QB – North Central [IL] (3.76 GPA – Exercise Science)
Brayden Long, QB – Slippery Rock [PA] (4.00 GPA – Sport Management)
Jake Majors, C – Texas (3.65 GPA – Business Management)
Seth McLaughlin, C – Ohio State (4.00 GPA – Finance)
Jalen Milroe, QB – Alabama (3.52 GPA – Management)
Jackson Woodard, LB – UNLV (3.77 GPA – Kinesiology)
