Brooks was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, coming off a record-setting career at Texas Tech University ... He finished his Red Raiders 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) ... Also holds Texas Tech single-season record for 100-yard rushing games (11 in 2024), while his 1538 rushing yards in 2023 ranks fourth in a season in program history ... Additionally served as a pass catching option out of the backfield, contributing 102 career receptions for 548 yards and two scores ... Named to All-Big 12 First Team in 2023, then earned second-team honors in '24 ... Semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, presented to nation's top running back, in each of final two seasons (2023-24) ... Also was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree (2021-24).
Selected by Cincinnati in sixth round of NFL Draft (193rd overall) on 4-26-25 ... Signed with Bengals on 5-8-25.
Head coach Zac Taylor says:
"Great lateral quickness, good ball skills and can protect. Just a really good all-around player. Our running backs coach, Justin Hill, knew him from the recruiting process years ago. Tahj was one that we were really high on from scouts' and coaches' perspectives. For him to be there in the sixth round, when we got him, we were really lucky."
Spent five seasons (2020-24) at Texas Tech ... Played in 56 career games with 34 starts.
2024—Played and started 11 games ... Missed Sept. 7 contest at Washington State due to injury, and opted out of AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. Arkansas following regular season ... Named second-team All-Big 12 Conference, and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation's top RB) ... Rushed 286 times for 1505 yards (5.3 average) and career-high 17 TDs (ranked 12th nationally) ... Became first player in program history to post multiple seasons with 1500 or more rushing yards ... Added 28 receptions for 199 yards and one TD ... Rushed for 100 or more yards in school-record 11 games ... One of two running backs in the FBS to rush for at least 100 yards in every game played (minimum 10 games), alongside Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty ... Led the Big 12 and ranked third in FBS in rushing yards per game (136.8) ... Ranked third in Big 12 in rushing yards and rushing TDs ... Rushed for career-high 188 yards with three TDs in final collegiate game on Nov. 30 vs. West Virginia ... Named to Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
2023—Started all 13 games ... Named first-team All-Big 12 and a semifinalist for Doak Walker Award ... Had 290 rushing attempts for 1538 yards (5.3) and 10 TDS, along with career-high 29 catches for 72 yards ... His 290 carries led the Big 12 (ranked second in FBS), while his 1538 rushing yards were second in the conference (fourth in FBS) ... Rushing attempts were tied for fourth-most in a season in school history, and rushing yardage ranked fourth all-time ... Only FBS player with 30 or more rushing attempts in at least four games ... Rushing yards per game (118.3) ranked second in Big 12 and fourth nationally ... Logged season-high 182 rushing yards with one TD on 24 carries (7.6 yards per carry) on Nov. 18 vs. Central Florida. Named to Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
2022—Played in all 13 games with six starts ... Rushed for team-high 691 yards with seven TDs on 147 carries ... Also caught 26 passes for 164 yards and a TD ... Had three rushing TDs in season opener on Sept. 3 vs. Murray State ... Ran for season-high 107 yards with two TDs on Oct. 22 vs. West Virginia ... Named to Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
2021—Played in nine games with four starts ... Rushed 87 times for team-leading 568 yards and seven TDs ... Added six receptions for 52 yards, and returned one kickoff for 21 yards ... Tied for 10th nationally with four rushes of at least 40 yards ... Had first career 100-yard rushing game in season opener on Sept. 4 vs. Houston, finishing with season-high 134 and two TDs on 15 carries ... Named to Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
2020—Played in all 10 games during season that was shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic ... Totaled 255 rushing yards with four TDs on 69 attempts ... Added 13 catches for 61 yards ... Scored rushing TD in collegiate debut on Sept. 12 vs. Houston Baptist ... Wrapped up true freshman campaign with season highs in carries (16) and rushing yards (79) on Dec. 5 vs. Kansas.
Attended Manor High School in Manor, Texas ... Topped 1000 rushing yards in each of final three seasons ... Rushed 239 times for 1807 yards with 26 total TDs as a senior in 2019, garnering first-team all-district honors ... Also netted first-team all-district status as a junior in 2018, when he had 1201 yards and 21 TDs on the ground while adding 17 catches for 267 yards and four TDs ... Finished high school career with 65 total TDs.
Hometown is Manor, Texas ... 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."
