Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks enters the 2025 NFL Draft after setting the program’s all-time rushing record. A highly productive back who rushed for 1,500-plus yards in consecutive seasons, Brooks proved capable of carrying a sizable workload. Recently, he continued improving his pre-draft stock through a standout showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Brooks recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. He discussed his experience at East-West Shrine, proving he's an effective pass-catcher throughout the pre-draft process, his favorite plays to run in the playbook, and more. Brooks will make a positive impact on an NFL offense next season.
JM: You were a standout performer at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. What was the overall experience like?
Tahj Brooks: It was a blessing to be invited. That's first and foremost. Together with my fellow 2025 NFL Draft prospects who participated, we learned a lot.
I loved being around the coaches and GMs. I had a lot of fun. The media coverage was great. I really enjoyed interviewing with different NFL teams. I had a great week. I was very consistent in my work.
A lot of preparation went into that week. I'm training at Exos. They did a great job preparing me for interviews, and for the on-field work as well.
It was a blessing. It was a very fun week.
JM: You had a great week by all accounts. What do you think you proved to general managers and scouts in attendance?
Tahj Brooks: I feel like I proved I'm an every-down back. I can catch balls coming out of the backfield for whichever organization chooses to draft me in April.
I also put my speed on display. I showed everyone that I'm very quick, quicker than people think I am. I have terrific quickness for how big and toned I am.
I can really run. I don't think a lot of teams thought I could run like that. Above all, I feel like I showed scouts I'm a good pass-catcher out of the backfield. I have natural hands. I proved that.
JM: That was important for you. Stick a pin in that. You probably met with most teams at the East-West Shrine Bowl. That's standard practice, and you talked about enjoying those meetings. Did any of those team meetings particularly stand out? Who were some of those great conversations with?
Tahj Brooks: The Steelers were definitely one of them. The Washington Commanders were another. The Cowboys.
I feel like I crushed all of my interviews. I met with roughly 20 teams. It was a great interview process with different scouts and things of that nature.
I think I crushed my interview with the New York Giants as well. Their entire [staff] crew was out there with me. I crushed that interview.
I feel like all of my interviews went great. There was a lot of energy in those meeting rooms. We had some great vibes.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. You strung together two massive seasons in 2023 and 2024, rushing for 1,500-plus yards both times, setting Texas Tech's all-time rushing record. What allowed you to be so consistent?
Tahj Brooks: I'd really just credit my preparation and how I went about my business. From nutrition to taking care of my body and film study, I was consistent with my weekly preparation.
I have a great feel for situational football. Our coaching staff, anything I needed from a film perspective or a preparation perspective, they always made sure we had those resources available to us.
They'd set up the film for us to watch during the week on the upcoming opponent. That helped me a lot with run reads and knowing where blitzes are coming from, and when to let my quarterback know when he's hot, letting him know when I'm his hot [route] coming out of the backfield.
Preparation, film study, and taking care of my body were at the forefront of my success. That's how I stayed so consistent. I have to give the glory to God. It's in his control. I really lean on my faith.
JM: You also rushed for 17 TDs this year. That was far more than the 10 rushing scores you had in 2023, and that was a lot to begin with. What do you think led to the uptick in rushing TDs?
Tahj Brooks: I played with extra effort this past season. I wanted to get those plays into the end zone. You want to score touchdowns as a running back. That's the most important thing besides pass protection.
You have to make guys miss if you want to score touchdowns and help your team win the game. My extra effort to score TDs went a long way.
I don't let one guy tackle me. That's something I stand on. I put my contact balance on film this season.
JM: Your contact balance is awesome. What's your favorite play to run in the playbook and why? Something you get excited about when you hear it called in the huddle.
Tahj Brooks: I love running inside zone. I like outside zone as well, but we didn't run it very much at Texas Tech this year. We ran outside zone against Iowa State and North Texas, those 3-3-5 defenses.
I love running counter as well. We had a lot of success running counter this year, either through that guard-tackle or guard-TE combo. Counter led to some big plays for us.
I liked our power schemes as well. Those were some great plays for us. Those were the main play calls I really enjoyed. Inside zone, counter, a little wide zone on occasion. We executed those at a high level in our offense this past season.
JM: We love that. You kinda addressed it earlier, but do you think there's some untapped potential for you as a pass catcher? It sounds like that's something you're looking to prove throughout this pre-draft process, and you started doing that at East-West Shrine.
Tahj Brooks: Definitely. That's still something I want to prove, especially when I head to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. I plan on being smooth on my drills and as a route runner.
I want to clean up my routes a little, especially when I watch film back on the East-West Shrine. I want to prove to teams that I'm an every-down back who can catch the ball. I have great hands and technique in pass protection.
I run hard and physically. I'm very explosive. A lot of teams didn't think I was this explosive because of how big I am.
If you cut on the tape, you'll see how explosive I am. That's very important to me
JM: This has been outstanding. We've appreciated your time today. When a team drafts Tahj Brooks, what kind of player and person are they getting?
Tahj Brooks: They're getting a winner on and off the field. I'm going to be a staple in the community. I'm going to hold my teammates to a standard. I want them to hold me to that same standard.
I'm not a rah-rah guy. I'm going to come in and ask the right questions because I want to learn. I'm always going to put the team first. That's something I did throughout my entire college career.
That's going to remain the case for whichever NFL organization drafts me. That's the type of guy you're going to get. You're getting a winner. I'm going to work my butt off every day in that building.
I'm going to take care of my body through diet and exercise. I love watching film. I do the little things right because it's the little things that lead to the big things.
