Tahj Brooks Explodes for Record-Breaking Rushing Yards—Everything You Need to Know About College Football’s Rising Star

The Cincinnati Bengals may have struck late-round gold with rookie running back ​Tahj Brooks, and early flashes at training camp are turning heads across the league. Brooks, the sixth-round pick out of Texas Tech, arrived in Cincinnati with a résumé that belied his draft slot. He left Lubbock as the Red Raiders’ all-time leader in rushing yards and 100-yard games, yet slipped to pick No. 193 in a deep 2025 running-back class. That chip-on-the-shoulder mentality has fueled an eye-catching opening week of camp that insiders are calling “Tahj Time.” Why Brooks Is Surging Up the Depth Chart • Burst and contact balance: Beat writers have highlighted how consistently he finishes runs through first contact during full-pad sessions, a trait that mirrors his college tape. • Third-down upside: Running backs coach Justin Hill praised Brooks’ “pro-ready pass protection,” a key separator in a crowded room that includes veteran starter Zack Moss and return specialist Chase Brown. • Special-teams value: Brooks has volunteered for kick-coverage reps, increasing his odds of dressing on game day even if touches are limited early. Training-Camp Standouts Translate to Preseason Reps During Day 2 of camp, Brooks took a stretch-zone hand-off, cut backside, and ripped off a 40-yard gain that ignited the crowd on the Kettering Health Practice Field sideline. Moments later he bounced a screen pass for a touchdown in red-zone work, earning fist bumps from Joe Burrow and loud approval from head coach Zac Taylor. Roster Math: What He Needs to Do Next 1. Stack healthy practices; durability will be scrutinized after 975 college touches. 2. Carve out a short-yardage niche—the Bengals ranked 24th in third-and-1 conversions last season. 3. Flash on special teams in the first preseason game vs. Green Bay on August 10. Brooks’ Perspective Speaking from his locker, the Manor, Texas native voiced a simple mantra: “Make every carry count—draft round doesn’t matter once the helmet’s on.” Local reporters note he delivers the line with the same calm confidence he showed hosting his third annual youth camp earlier this month, where he emphasized “faith, family, and finishing” to 200 campers. Fantasy and Betting Angle If Brooks secures RB2 duties, his downhill style meshes with Cincinnati’s revamped zone-blocking scheme under new offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor snaps and route participation in preseason Week 1; early buzz could translate into late-round sleeper status. Bottom Line Training camp stars can fade fast, but Tahj Brooks’ blend of collegiate production, pass-pro polish, and special-teams hunger position him as more than a July headline. If “Tahj Time” keeps ticking through August, the Bengals’ backfield hierarchy could look very different on opening Sunday.