Running the ball wasn’t how Clemson got to a national championship, but Zac Brooks was an interest contributor.
What does his scouting report say about his chances in the draft?
Position: 6’1″
School: Clemson
Year: Senior
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200 lbs
History:
Two things have followed Brooks since high school: a fascinating skill set and a poor health history. As much fun as it can be to watch some of the great plays he’s made at Clemson one also can’t ignore the frequent times he appeared on the injury report.
STRENGTHS:
- Good size and muscular distribution.
- Fluid athlete who seems comfortable in space.
- Reliable hands, making him an asset as receiver out of the backfield.
- Shows decent vision in finding soft spots in the defense. Sees where the holes are and settles into dead spots against coverage.
- Decisive runner. Not a lot of dancing to his style.
WEAKNESSES:
- Speed is average. Not going to pull away from anybody.
- Though he reacts quickly, he doesn’t have the agility to make people miss.
- Lower body strength is lacking. Breaking tackles is not a regularity for him.
- Offense never demanded him to have a lot of carries in games. Had just 116 total in his career.
- Injuries hampered his time in school. Missed games in all but his final year.
Pro Comparison: Travaris Cadet
Coming out of Appalachian State, nobody knew much about Cadet but his versatility as a runner and receiver got him some opportunities as a rotational back in New Orleans, mostly in passing situations as a receiver. That is what Brooks does best as well. He seems destined for a similar role in the NFL unless he can show teams he can run with more power and stay healthy.
Projection: 6th round to UDFA
Injuries and limited playing time are almost certain to put Brooks at the end of the draft. Perhaps his frequent flash plays will be enough for a team to invest a pick in him but he may have to battle his way onto a roster. If he finds the right system though, he could become a surprisingly productive player.