STrib: Shannon Brooks wins third Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor

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Congrats to him. The true freshmen that played together with the injured we should get back could really put us the strongest depth position I ever remember next year.
 

Raise your hand if you thought Brooks would win Freshman of the Week multiple times and be our best freshman RB since Maroney.
 

John Galt said:
Raise your hand if you thought Brooks would win Freshman of the Week multiple times and be our best freshman RB since Maroney.
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My preseason predictions were, no redshirt for Croft, Brooks best RB on team by end of year, Myrick would consider the NFL, oh and the team would go 10-2 or 9-3. So not exactly B1G Fr of the week 3 times.
 

I've been trying to evaluate what makes him that good. The best I can come up with is:

1) Good lateral vision and movement
2) Outstanding acceleration in the first 10 yards. This sets him apart from the rest of the pack....outstanding!
3) Very good balance
4) Good running instinct
.
I guess as far as his top end speed; it's average. He doesn't pull away from the defenders, but that first 10 yards puts him way out.

He has the potential to be very special.
 


His highlight reel was extremely impressive. That said, you neve know how they will look in the Big Ten. We got a huge steal in both him and rodney Smith. With an average to above average line we are going to have an excellentseason next year. Brooks truly is his own blocker and Smith has the quicks.

Combine that with a maturing Mitch and an unchained Limegrover and great times ahead.
 

Rescooter said:
I guess as far as his top end speed; it's average. He doesn't pull away from the defenders, but that first 10 yards puts him way out.
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Top end speed might be average but I can't remember anyone catching him from behind, especially on those long td runs.
 

Old Goph said:
Top end speed might be average but I can't remember anyone catching him from behind, especially on those long td runs.
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Totally agree with you on that. Clocked at 4.56 (40) puts him in the middle for running backs. His acceleration in first 10 yards however, are exceptional.
 

Rescooter said:
Totally agree with you on that. Clocked at 4.56 (40) puts him in the middle for running backs. His acceleration in first 10 yards however, are exceptional.
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Emmit Smith type
 



Shannon has housed it twice.

We hadn't done that for.....gawd...how many years?

Even David never did it. Maybe Pinnix had one?
 

Rescooter said:
I've been trying to evaluate what makes him that good. The best I can come up with is:

1) Good lateral vision and movement
2) Outstanding acceleration in the first 10 yards. This sets him apart from the rest of the pack....outstanding!
3) Very good balance
4) Good running instinct
.
I guess as far as his top end speed; it's average. He doesn't pull away from the defenders, but that first 10 yards puts him way out.

He has the potential to be very special.
Click to expand...

All are good points. #2 especially. He also runs "nasty" which can make a big difference at the end of games. I can't wait to see him next year - stronger. Could be special.
 

Rescooter said:
I've been trying to evaluate what makes him that good. The best I can come up with is:

1) Good lateral vision and movement
2) Outstanding acceleration in the first 10 yards. This sets him apart from the rest of the pack....outstanding!
3) Very good balance
4) Good running instinct
.
I guess as far as his top end speed; it's average. He doesn't pull away from the defenders, but that first 10 yards puts him way out.

He has the potential to be very special.
Click to expand...

The combo of #1 and #2 are the key. He seems to move very quickly when he goes lateral, last guy I remember being that explosive like that for us was Maroney. He does lack the true breakaway speed but outside of that he has all the tools to be a very good/great college running back. He will probably need to add some bulk to hold up to the pounding of the Big Ten but you can definitely see the potential for him to be special as he develops.
 

MNVCGUY said:
The combo of #1 and #2 are the key. He seems to move very quickly when he goes lateral, last guy I remember being that explosive like that for us was Maroney. He does lack the true breakaway speed but outside of that he has all the tools to be a very good/great college running back. He will probably need to add some bulk to hold up to the pounding of the Big Ten but you can definitely see the potential for him to be special as he develops.
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He keeps outrunning DBs to the end zone.... what more do you want?
 



Studwell55 said:
Shannon has housed it twice.

We hadn't done that for.....gawd...how many years?

Even David never did it. Maybe Pinnix had one?
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this. Brooks doesn't look like he should be fast, but he is. Who is the last back that has had 2 70+ yard TD runs?
 

John Galt said:
this. Brooks doesn't look like he should be fast, but he is. Who is the last back that has had 2 70+ yard TD runs?
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Maybe Maroney? Darkins?

Edit: Not Darkins. Did some research - his career long was 47.
 

John Galt said:
He keeps outrunning DBs to the end zone.... what more do you want?
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I agree - I can't complain about Brooks's speed. He is a home run threat and a tough runner. He has the potential to do some great things here before he graduates.

Rodney Smith isn't bad either. Nice duo for the next 3 years.
 

Congratulations to Shannon for all his hard work, his talent, and his special efforts. Now let's hope he and teammates can run across the field and retrieve the ax!
 

Rescooter said:
I've been trying to evaluate what makes him that good. The best I can come up with is:

1) Good lateral vision and movement
2) Outstanding acceleration in the first 10 yards. This sets him apart from the rest of the pack....outstanding!
3) Very good balance
4) Good running instinct
.
I guess as far as his top end speed; it's average. He doesn't pull away from the defenders, but that first 10 yards puts him way out.

He has the potential to be very special.
Click to expand...

How does strength/power not make that list??
 

To me, what sets Brooks apart is his uncanny ability to set up defenders and create hesitation. He then has the quickness and strength to blow past them, breaking arm tackles and ankle grabs with incredible displays of balance. He is a ferocious run finisher. He has adequate speed to beat all but the fastest DBs in foot races to the end zone.

The big negative on him, and I think this has and will be scouted on him going forward is that he has a fumbling issue. He needs to protect the ball, but he'll figure it out.
 

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