Texas Tech's Brooks Named Finalist for William V. Campbell Trophy

LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks has been named a finalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. The senior standout is one of 16 finalists and will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday.

Brooks will travel to Las Vegas for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 10, where the winner of the Campbell Trophy, awarded to the nation's top football student-athlete, will be announced. The award recognizes academic success, football performance, and leadership.

Brooks is the sixth player in Texas Tech history to be named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete and the first since Cody Davis in 2012. Previous Red Raiders to earn this distinction include John Scovell (1967), Keith Cockrum (1999), Kliff Kingsbury (2002), and Graham Harrell (2008).

"Tahj Brooks is not only one of the best players in college football but also one of the best students and teammates I’ve had the privilege to coach,” head coach Joey McGuire said. “He is more than deserving of this honor. Tahj will forever be remembered as one of the best players in our history, and his inclusion as a Campbell Trophy finalist further exemplifies that.”

A senior team captain, Brooks has been a consistent force on the field throughout his career. He currently ranks third nationally with 134.0 rushing yards per game, amassing 804 yards in just six games this season. Brooks is on pace to become Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher, needing 363 more yards to surpass Byron Hanspard's career record. He also sits 144 yards shy of reaching 4,000 career rushing yards, which would make him only the third Red Raider and ninth player in Big 12 history to achieve that mark.

Brooks' achievements extend off the field, where he is a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection with a 3.55 GPA. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management in December and is pursuing a certificate in sports communications. He regularly engages in community service, including hosting youth football camps in his hometown of Manor, Texas.

The William V. Campbell Trophy, considered the “academic Heisman,” was selected from a record 204 semifinalists across all NCAA divisions and the NAIA. The finalists will be recognized for their academic and athletic excellence, as well as their leadership qualities.