Tahj Brooks

A sixth-round draft choice by the Bengals in 2025, Brooks played in 16 games as a rookie and contributed primarily in the kick return game ... He had 10 KORs for 258 yards, while contributing 45 rushing yards and nine receiving yards offensively ... Compiled a record-setting collegiate career at Texas Tech University, where he set school records for rushing attempts (879), rushing yards (4557) and 100-yard rushing games (23), while ranking third in program history in total TDs (47), third in rushing TDs (45) and fifth in all-purpose yards (5126) ... Also holds Red Raiders single-season record for 100-yard rushing games, with 11 in 2024 ... He was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) in each of his final two seasons, while also netting All-Big 12 Conference honors in both years.

A sixth-round draft choice by the Bengals in 2025, Brooks played in 16 games as a rookie and contributed primarily in the kick return game ... He had 10 KORs for 258 yards, while contributing 45 rushing yards and nine receiving yards offensively ... Compiled a record-setting collegiate career at Texas Tech University, where he set school records for rushing attempts (879), rushing yards (4557) and 100-yard rushing games (23), while ranking third in program history in total TDs (47), third in rushing TDs (45) and fifth in all-purpose yards (5126) ... Also holds Red Raiders single-season record for 100-yard rushing games, with 11 in 2024 ... He was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) in each of his final two seasons, while also netting All-Big 12 Conference honors in both years.

Career transactions: Selected by Cincinnati in sixth round of NFL Draft (193rd overall) on 4-26-25 ... Signed with Bengals on 5-8-25.

Pro career:

2025—Played in 16 games as a rookie ... Inactive for one game (Game 12) due to concussion ... Totaled 16 rushing attempts for 45 yards and one reception for nine yards ... Returned 10 kickoffs for 258 yards (25.8 average) ... Also had seven special teams tackles ... Recorded one ST tackle in NFL debut on Sept. 7 at Cleveland ... Had first career rushing attempts on Sept. 21 at Minnesota, logging five carries for 17 yards ... Returned two kickoffs for 52 yards on Oct. 16 vs. Pittsburgh, including 27-yarder late in fourth quarter to set up game-winning FG drive ... Had two KORs for 55 yards on Nov. 2 vs. Chicago, with a long of 31 yards ... Recorded five rushing yards on two carries and returned one kick for 20 yards on Nov. 23 vs. New England ... Had career highs for KORs (four) and KOR yards (90) on Dec. 14 vs. Baltimore, with long of 28 yards ... On Dec. 21 at Miami, rushed for seven yards on four attempts, and recorded career-long 41-yard KOR to set up Bengals TD drive late in second quarter ... Brought in nine-yard catch for first career reception on Dec. 28 vs. Arizona, and rushed three times for 10 yards.

College: Spent five seasons (2020-24) at Texas Tech ... Played in 56 career games with 34 starts ... Finished career with school records for rushing attempts (879), rushing yards (4557) and 100-yard rushing games (23), while ranking third in program history in total TDs (47), third in rushing TDs (45) and fifth in all-purpose yards (5126) ... Caught 102 passes for 548 yards and two TDs ... Named first-team All-Big 12 in 2023, then followed up with second-team honors in '24 ... Semifinalist for Doak Walker Award (nation's top RB) in 2023 and '24 seasons ... In 2023, his career-high 1538 rushing yards ranked second in Big 12 and fourth in FBS ... Ranked 12th nationally in rushing TDs in 2024 (career-high 17).

High school/personal: Hometown is Manor, Texas ... Attended Manor High School, where he rushed for over 1000 yards in each of his final three seasons ... Had 1807 rushing yards and 26 total TDs as a senior in 2019, earning first-team all-district honors ... Finished high school career with 65 total TDs ... Earned bachelor's degree in sport management from Texas Tech in December 2023 ... Was recruited by Bengals running backs coach Justin Hill when Hill was on the coaching staff at the University of Tulsa ... First name is pronounced as second syllable of "montage."

Last Updated July 2026