Tahj Brooks, super-senior running back for Texas Tech University football, has brought talent, passion, and victory to Lubbock, Texas, during his time here. This year, however, he’s working towards more than a Big 12 Championship.
1,168 rushing yards.
That’s how many more rushing yards Brooks needs to set the career record at TTU. With 3,052 yards, he has his eyes on taking the title from Red Raider legend Byron Hanspard (1994-96).
But even with the opportunity to make history on the line, Brooks is thinking about how he can serve his team this year.
When asked what makes this year different, Brooks said, “...our togetherness, our competitions, how we compete on a daily basis with each other and then really just the knowledge of the game. I feel like each position group is super smart on the football field and off the field, and we put ourselves in a great position to be successful.”
Originally from Manor, Texas, and spending all five years of his collegiate football career at Texas Tech, Brooks chose TTU over 15 other offers.
Red Raider fans everywhere anxiously awaited an announcement from Brooks this spring about his career–was he staying or going pro?
Eventually, the answer came, and the fans rejoiced. But what influenced this wildly successful running back’s decision to spend another season playing college ball?
“I feel like I could come back and make more money in college with what I do before making it in the pros. And that's just something my family and I talked about. And then also, the extra help from Texas Tech, on the field and off the field.” Brooks continued, “We’ve got it going on in the community, helping me impact my community.”
The financial assistance and community impact Brooks has been able to receive and give is due to a non-profit organization called The Matador Club.
Red Raider student-athletes receive NIL compensation and support with money management and investing in their futures in exchange for community service with local charities. What the student-athletes use the financial assistance for is up to their discretion. Some use it to further their sports careers, while some create economic security for themselves.
Brooks began his collegiate football career before NIL (name, image, and likeness) laws changed. He described how the new landscape has improved his life and experience.
“My last year of college football has grown..The Matador Club, our collective, does a great job helping and supporting us with whatever we need. And by that, we repay them. On being out and helping in the community,…So it's really just been a blessing in my experience.”
As Brooks continued to praise the way The Matador Club and NIL have impacted student-athletes and the West Texas community, he addressed those with a negative perception of the support they receive.
“You know, we hear sometimes from college football fans or just people in general that they don't like what it's doing to college sports…I feel like this new era brings a lot of positivity within not just us but other schools as well.”
Brooks took the money he received from the Matador Club and poured it back into his hometown community of Manor.
“This past summer, I had my second annual football camp, and I paid for all the kids and all the resources that I needed to use.” Brooks described the impact of that camp and its importance to his community by saying, “That's really a big blessing for kids. They can look up to you, and parents can know who you are and put a name to a face. You can introduce yourself and connect with a lot of opportunities that you see after football.”
Brooks credited The Matador Club for making his camp possible.
“I couldn't do that on my own with a regular stipend…The Matador Club helped make that possible.”
Brooks says his hard work, support from his teammates, and assistance from The Matador Club have kept him going.
“Thank you for all that you do, Matador Club donors. Thank you for all that you do. Keep supporting us. Keep keep us going. Keep donating. I promise you it's going to be worthwhile.”
1,168 rushing yards. Let’s go get it.