LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher, Tahj Brooks, was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Brooks, the 193rd overall pick, becomes the third Red Raider ever drafted by the Bengals and the first since offensive lineman Joe Walter in 1985.
"I'm very blessed that the Bengals organization drafted me," said Brooks. "It was awesome. It put a smile to my face. Me and the running backs coach (Justin Hill) go very well. He was a guy that recruited me in college and I'm glad I got to be back with him."
Brooks joins a Cincinnati offense led by Pro Bowlers Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase after a standout college career in which he rushed for a school-record 4,557 yards over 56 games. He capped his time at Texas Tech by surpassing 1,500 rushing yards in a season for the second time, becoming the program’s first player to achieve multiple 1,500-yard seasons.
Brooks also set a Texas Tech record with 23 career 100-yard rushing games and becomes the 100th Red Raider selected in the modern era of the NFL Draft (since 1970). He is the first Texas Tech running back drafted since DeAndre Washington was taken by the Raiders in 2016.
Brooks joins offensive lineman Caleb Rogers, a third-round selection by the Las Vegas Raiders, as Red Raiders drafted this year. Texas Tech has now had multiple players selected in five of the last six drafts.
Bengals offseason workouts begin May 27, with mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 10-12.
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