Interview: Overlooked 2021 California WR Tajae Brooks Prepping for Another Explosive Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Put him on the outside or in the slot, Class of 2021 receiver Tajae Brooks is a mismatch maker helping Escondido High School move the ball downfield in an explosive hurry. In stats posted in six games of the Cougars 12-game 2019 season, Brooks was slaying opposing Division IV California defenses hauling in 15 passes for 504 yards with seven scores carrying an impressive 30.6 yard per reception average. Five college programs have offered the 6-0, 175-pound, speedster thus far with others waiting to see him in action during the 2020 season set to begin mid-January.
For a rundown on his junior season, offseason workouts and a look ahead to his final run with the Cougars, Tajae Brooks stopped by the RNG Lab for a detailed conversation.
Interview
Tajae, there was a team in a white uniform with a blue stripe and a blue helmet you guys played against last season. Which team was that?
That was Orange Glen High School, our second game of the season.
Do you remember your stat line against them, because they could do nothing to stop you? Looks like you put up a season in one game against them.
Yeah, I had a lot of catches against them. I had 281 yards, and almost broke the school record with four touchdowns.
Throughout your junior season, playing in a Spread attack, what were some of the routes you were running with the Cougars?
Posts, digs, fades, five-yard ins, but mainly posts and digs – the deep routes.
Once the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game?
I feel like my speed was killer last year and the way I was running my routes really well too. Reading the defense, if they were 10-yards off, I’d run a short route our adjust my routes to get open.
Throughout this extended offseason, what have you been working on to prepare for your senior year?
I have been working on my routes and playing 7v7 with Fast Camp. I have been working on my routes and speed a lot. After all the offseason work, I feel like I have gotten way better – way better. My routes are crisp and so are my breakouts.
Speed and agility are such a big part of your game, what have you been doing to improve that trait to your skills?
I go with my high school speed coach for workouts. We do cone drills, ladders, and stuff like that. He has me working on breaking on the route drills; that really helps me with my routes.
Did you get a 40-yard time in this offseason?
Yes, I ran a 4.61 at a combine.
Nice. With your overall strength, what workouts have you been doing there?
A lot of squats. At our school we do squats all the time, and we are doing bench and push press. But now all the San Diego gyms have been shut down, so has our weight room at school.
Sorry to hear that. Circling back around to playing 7v7 with Fast Camp, how is that going for you?
It is going good. We won a tournament not too long ago. We got third place in Vegas, but we were cheated by the owner. The owner gave the other team an extra chance to score at the end of the game. Our 7v7 team is good.
When the 2020 season gets going, what roles are you taking on?
I think my coach wants me to play safety this year. They may move me in the slot some too.
What have you been doing to stay sharp over the fall and winter months?
I do 7v7 and I go with my QB to a field and run routes.
Going into recruiting to close out. Which schools are showing interest ahead of the season?
Nevada and Weber State
How many offers do you have?
I have five; Chadron State, Lake Erie, Benedictine, Carthage, and Southwest Minnesota State.
Awesome. Being a senior with National Signing Day coming up, are there any campus visits you may take academic or otherwise?
My QB and I are planning on going to Carthage and Benedictine soon. But it is not for sure yet.
Tajae, I appreciate your time today. Keep up the hard work preparing for your senior run.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Brooks family; Tajae Brooks