Texas Football: 3 problematic Red Raiders players for the Longhorns
Tahj Brooks, RB
There are two breakthrough skill position players that are shining for the Red Raiders through the first three games of the season. The first up on the list is the 5-foot-10 and 220-pound sophomore running back Tahj Brooks. During his freshman campaign last year, Brooks showed flashes but wasn’t the most efficient or productive running back for Texas Tech.
That has all changed as Brooks has emerged in the role as the leading running back for the Red Raiders. Through the first three games, he’s rushed for 284 yards on 35 carries (more than eight yards per carry), with four rushing touchdowns. He’s already eclipsed his total tally of rushing yards, and has the same number of rushing touchdowns through three games this season, compared to seven games he played in last fall.
Texas needs to prepare better for the ground attack this weekend than they did in the week leading up to the loss to Arkansas. Brooks is someone that can break any run away for big gains. He’s a big-bodied runner, but has underrated speed to breakaway in the open field.
Brooks already has more than 170 yards after initial contact and four runs of at least 15 yards this season. Linebackers DeMarvion Overshown and Luke Brockermeyer will have to be stout in run defense against Brooks this weekend. They can’t keep getting pushed around by opposing blockers at the second and third levels of the defense in run plays.
Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie has adapted this offense to the skill set of former Oregon transfer quarterback Tyler Shough. And the results look pretty good so far.
Cumbie will mainly use Brooks in the zone read, and somewhat of a modified outside zone read. That leads to Texas Tech almost exclusively getting production on the ground off the right side of the line and up the middle. Hold strong for Keondre Coburn and the edge on the right and the Longhorns should do fine against Brooks.
Get pushed around in those parts of the defensive front, and it will be a long day for the Longhorns on Sep. 25.