We're featuring some of our HomeTeam 100 players, including our No. 90 player, Plant RB Patrick Brooks:
Patrick Brooks has, in good supply, all the qualities of a great running back.
Good balance, vision and speed. Great toughness, hands and determination.
“He’s strong enough to break tackles, and fast enough to break away,” Plant coach Robert Weiner said.
All he needs now is the ball.
This fall, Brooks will take over the featured back spot held down by Wesley Bullock the past two seasons. Running behind an offensive line manned by Division I recruits Richard Bush, Jake Fruhmorgen and Ray Raulerson, there’s a lot to like about the possibilities.
“I just want to get enough touches to help my team win games,’’ said the junior who, when pressed for some individual goals, confesses to shooting for 2,000 yards this fall.
It may be an attainable mark, but it may require more than just rushing yards. In Plant’s balanced offense, 25 carries are likely out of the question, but Brooks will add a good number of yards on catches.
“He is really versatile,’’ Weiner said. “Although he’s a running back, he really has wide receiver skills.”
In fact, Weiner would have played Brooks at wideout last year if injuries hadn’t necessitated Brooks stick to carrying the ball. He ran for 293 yards on 38 carries (7.7 per tote) and scored five total touchdowns, while catching a pass in seven games.
That role will blossom in 2013.
“It’s a big responsibility being handed to me,’’ Brooks said, “and I’m ready and comfortable with it.”
Photo by Mark Weaver
Also in this series:
Players 91-100
Players 81-90