Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: British Brooks named to Doak Walker Award watch list

By Mark DeMott

Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back British Brooks (24) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back British Brooks (24) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC football fifth-year senior has been recognized as one of the top running backs in the nation coming into this season.

When British Brooks walked on to the UNC football team in 2018, not many expected that he would ever be the featured back for the Tar Heels.

Fast forward to the 2022 season, and not only is Brooks projected to be Carolina’s lead back, but he is also getting national recognition.

On Wednesday, Brooks was named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s best running back.

Brooks made his mark earlier in his career on special teams, becoming the Tar Heels’ Special Teams MVP and captain each of the past two seasons.

The Gastonia, North Carolina native has been known as one of the hardest workers in the locker room since he arrived and his first big opportunity at running back came in the Orange Bowl during his junior season.

After the star-studded duo of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams opted out of the bowl game for the NFL Draft, Brooks was thrust into the backfield and rushed for 53 yards against Texas A&M.

It took a while for Brooks to find his groove last season, but he finished the season as the best back on the roster.  Most notably, in the final two games of the year, the former walk-on rushed for over 100 yards at NC State and 72 yards in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against South Carolina.

Brooks should not have to carry the entire load for the Carolina running game this fall, as backs such as DJ Jones and Caleb Hood return, along with the addition of talented freshmen George Pettaway and Omarion Hampton among others.

With that being said, North Carolina’s running game will have more on its plate following the departure of an all-time great quarterback like Sam Howell, and the tough-running Brooks will play a huge role in taking some pressure off of whoever the new signal-caller is.

Other notable players recognized as candidates for the Doak Walker Award include Will Shipley of Clemson, Tank Bigsby of Auburn, and TreVeyon Henderson of Ohio State.

Next. Josh Downs named to Maxwell Award watch list. dark

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