Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks is back in 2021. The Sooners’ RB1 opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns amidst the global pandemic. To put things in perspective, Pro Football Focus ranked Brooks No. 3 among the nation’s top returning backs for the upcoming season. The 5-11, 214-pound back is a bulldozer.
Brooks, a former four-star recruit ranks 30th in OU history in just two seasons with 2,067 rushing yards. The Mansfield native compiled two, 1,000-yard seasons donning Crimson and Cream and racked up nine career 100-yard games during his freshman and sophomore seasons (14th in school history). In 2018, Brooks tallied 1,056 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2019, his production continued with 1,011 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries.
The workhorse has thrived in Lincoln Riley’s RPO heavy offense. Brooks can do it all and his explosiveness on runs helps open up the high-powered passing game. His vision out of the backfield and acceleration once a hole opens is rare.
No. 26’s balance, spin move, and one-cut ability make it almost impossible for defenders to bring him down in space. Brooks is equally as effective on perimeter runs as he is between the tackles. The speedster elevates the screen game in addition with his agility and burst out of the flat. He is willing to power his way through traffic on dirty runs to gain additional yardage.
Brooks running behind Oklahoma’s counter pull will be lethal for defenses in 2021. He is a jack of all trades and an elite player that defenses will have to game plan around this upcoming season.
Kennedy Brooks makes it look really, really easy. pic.twitter.com/AXWslm9giS
— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) October 28, 2018
His effortless running impresses and as Lincoln Riley compared, “It’s like he’s running in the park with his Labrador.”
At the snap of the ball, No. 26 in the backfield is certainly someone you want to watch for in 2021. Because one thing is certain, Brooks runs with power with no wasted movement.