Under the Radar...North Texas' Nate Brooks

Harry · March 10, 2017

Why you should know him

Brooks, along with other under the radar players Kishawn McClain and Eric Jenkins, makes up one of the most talented position groups in Conference USA, the Mean Green secondary. Well, McClain may not be under the radar so much, he was an All-CUSA freshman he's been a playmaker for North Texas for two plus years now, but you should get to know all of them. Back to Mr. Brooks.

Brooks arrived on campus a skinny kid who was expected to play on special teams and in nickel situations, but he ended up starting his final seven games as a true freshman. He made eleven stops as a true freshman against UTSA at Apogee and generally survived his trial by fire.

Enter Seth Littrell and with him Co-Coordinators Troy Reffett and Mike Ekeler, they transformed North Texas' defense into an attacking multiple/flexible unit and oversaw a near ten point improvement in points allowed per game. Reffett and Ekeler's defense skyrocketed and improved from 108th in pass defense in 2015 to 26th in 2016. That jump was aided by a bulked up Brooks who added ten to fifteen pounds for his sophomore season. He used those extra pounds to finish fourth on the team in tackles with 57 tackles, including 36 solo stops.

Brooks started all thirteen games for the Mean Green in 2016 and didn't shy away from the big stage. In the Mean Green's trip to the Swamp to take on Florida in September, Brooks led the team in tackles and registered his first career interception. Brooks would make a second pick a few weeks later at West Point.

Against Southern Miss in November Brooks would have his best night to date and dismantle USM's offense with two picks, a forced fumble, six tackles, and a pass break up. That win would be the fifth for the Mean Green and, thanks to their APR, would qualify them for a Bowl Game in Littrell's first year.