Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks was named to the 2024 Maxwell Award watch list. The annual award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club, is given to the most outstanding player in college football.
Brooks, having already been named to the 2024 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team and the 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, is set to enter his fifth season with the Red Raiders. The Manor, Texas native is prepping for his final collegiate season having already amassed 3,052 career rushing yards, spearheaded by a 2023 campaign that saw him wrap the season as the nation's fourth-leading rusher after totaling 1,538 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Brooks' run of receiving national attention began last season, earning recognition by being named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards on top of earning 2023 All-Big 12 first-team honors.
The Maxwell Award tabbed Brooks among a collection of 80 players recognized from coast to coast. The ACC is the leading conference boasting 20 candidates followed by the SEC (15), Big 12 (15) and Big Ten (12). Michael Penix Jr., from the University of Washington, was the 2023 Maxwell Award winner and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 12, 2024, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled Nov. 26, 2024. The winners of the 88th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 12, 2024.