Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
Size:
Height: 6020
Weight: 184
Arm: 31 ¾”
Hand: 9”
Accomplishments:
Five-star recruit
“Ja’Corey Brooks is a highly intriguing perimeter playmaker whose multi-phase contributions showcase an athlete who, if able to land in the right surroundings, could carve out snaps within an NFL offense.”
Strengths:
Explosive
Game-changing speed
Athleticism
Special teams pop
Concerns:
Consistency
Hands
Comfortability in contested areas
Film Analysis:
Ja’Corey Brooks is a highly intriguing perimeter playmaker whose multi-phase contributions showcase an athlete who, if able to land in the right surroundings, could carve out snaps within an NFL offense. While injuries rattled his 2023 campaign, a healthy Brooks in 2022 showcased a featured threat in one of college football’s premier passing attacks. Now in the ACC, Brooks’ role is expected to increase in an offense that should allow his vertical skill set to thrive.
Brooks is a solid route-runner who has shown the ability to get off the line of scrimmage against a variety of coverages. Has quick twitch to press up on the toes of opposing corners, but is an athlete who rarely faced man corners in press-man due to his fundamental ability to run by less fleet-of-foot DBs. Long strides to pick up ground with a prototypical build at wideout during Nick Saban’s days in Tuscaloosa.
Brooks is wiry, fluid, fast, explosive, and a former five-star recruit out of high school. Fun player to watch in space, but he does shy away from contact at times over the middle of the field. Good hands, not great. Brooks has the athleticism to make the highlight play, showcasing his potential on the outside. His creativity after the catch is lacking and he is not a player who will look to lower his shoulder to gain extra yards. However, he’s the type of player that has packages carved out for him in a playbook each week.
Brooks has the extra gear to threaten teams vertically, but becoming a sure-handed target in the intermediate areas will do well in rounding out his profile. He tracks the ball well over his outside shoulder and will force safety help against teams with corners that simply can’t keep up. He is also a willing participant on the perimeter who was used as the lead outside blocker on multiple occasions on screens and toss plays to his side.
Brooks also projects as an immediate core special teamer due to his quickness and ability to make one cut and take it for six. He also has a blocked punt on his resume during his time at Alabama. New kickoff rules will boost players like Brooks’ stock upward.
Concerns remain about his consistency. For Brooks, finding a happy median in his play will showcase his true potential to become a rotational piece for an offense. At times, Brooks looks to shake and shuffle his defenders too much, allowing more time for defenders to close ground, and ultimately reduce space. While his success in 2022 opened eyes, injuries last fall saw Brooks’ name slip into the shadows of names to know heading into 2024.
Overall, Brooks enters 2024 with potential and lofty expectations. His ability to produce in bunches while maintaining health will showcase a player with a chance to rise significantly on draft boards as the season progresses.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
