It Was Always OU for Brooks
A solid sophomore season (1,271 yards and 14 touchdowns) put Kennedy Brooks on the radar for numerous college coaches in 2014, however his nearly unprecedented 3,522-yards and 42-touchdowns in 2015 absolutely put the recruiting world on notice. The 6-foot, 197-pound Mansfield, Texas native saw offers come in from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Michigan, and Texas A&M amongst many others.
However, for Brooks he says the choice started and ended with Oklahoma.
"It was always Oklahoma but I was looking at other schools as well but it was always OU," Brooks said.
"I’ve always been a big fan of Oklahoma, I’ve got family in Oklahoma City and Lawton and I’ve been up there a lot and I like everything up there. I fell in love with the campus and the tradition, they always make great backs. I talked to my parents and my coaches and all of my friends, they all felt it was the right fit for me.
"All the coaches were really excited, they were all cool with me and were really excited for me and glad I wanted to go there. I’m really happy to be part of the family."
That time spent talking to his friends, many of whom are also his teammates, should come as no surprise as the nation's No. 15 running back isn't one to take his personal successes as solely his own.
"I’m just trying to help my team win. Do whatever it takes, if it takes 100 yards, 300-yards it doesn’t matter. I’m the kind of person, it’s all about the team, I never worry about personal stats," he said.
On his way to the successes of 2015, he helped lead Mansfield to their first district title since 1970 by besting a roster of teams including Texas powerhouses Cedar Hill and DeSoto. And now that he is putting up another huge season in 2016, 179 carries for 1,807-yards and 23 touchdowns through seven games, the Tigers look set to again win district - albeit in a different district.
"It’s a great accomplishment, all of our hard work, doing what I’m able to do – I couldn’t do it without my offensive line last year, or this year. My defense, they help us win so much. It’s really fun knowing that they can trust me with the ball and when it comes down to it I can help the team win," he explained.
Brooks isn't quite sure what plans Oklahoma has for him within their offense, but in fitting with his team-first mindset he isn't overly concerned about it either. Included in that idea is the chance to fit in with fellow 2017 running back commitment Trey Sermon.
"Honestly I don’t know, they really just told me they wanted me and that I would be a good fit in their offense. I’m going to do everything to get on the field, whatever they want me to do I can do it," he said.
"Trey, he is a really great, talented running back. I feel like we’ll be the next Samaje (Perine) and Joe (Mixon). I’m really happy to be part of that backfield with him."
Sermon may share a backfield with Brooks going forward but during the recent, and annual, OU-Texas meeting in the Cotton Bowl Brooks had a chance to meet his future teammates. And though many have played each other for some time he admits it was his first chance to truly get acquainted.
"I know them but I don’t know them well. (That) weekend I got to get to know all of them but most of them were at the game with Texas. It was fun, we were having a good time – they were really cool and I love being around them," he said. "That was my first experience (at OU-Texas), I brought my family with me. We all loved the atmosphere, it was something great that I can’t explain."
The teammates he spends most of his current time around can't help but give Brooks, and another Norman-bound Mansfield athlete, a hard time.
"All my friends were making fun of me, I’m happy to be going in there," Brooks said. "Me and my friend, Avery, he committed to OU in baseball so they are calling us the ‘Boomer brothers’."
Being around the future Sooners, even for a short while, has already rubbed off on Brooks who is talking about taking the program to familiar heights and just how much this class might be able to take them back there.
"We all know, we have a great class, we’ve got really high expectations so we keep saying if we keep grinding, we’re going to change the tradition and win national championships again. We want to make OU what it was when it was playing for national championships," he said. "Everyone that goes D-1 you want to go to a school that is going to win a national championship. It’s about my family, being close to them and I always loved being around OU. I always talked to them, it was always one of my dream schools – I’m glad to be a part of it."
Brooks, who, if things don't work out with football, plans to major in criminal justice with hopes of ending up in the FBI, may be dreaming of his future in Norman but in his waking hours is squarely focused on Mansfield going beyond last year's state semi-final appearance.
"It’s just great, it's how crazy how fast time flies so fast. I’m going to enjoy my senior year, make sure I have no regrets but I can’t wait to be at OU next year."