24) Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma (5-11, 215)
Previous rank: Not rankedBrooks' performance last week against Texas in the Red River Showdown (25 carries for 217 yards and two TDs) reminded everyone of his 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019 (he opted out of the 2020 season). He got the Sooners' offense going after they fell behind 14-0 early, running for 15 yards after feeling his way through traffic in the middle and then accelerating for the gain. That was a theme throughout the contest for Brooks, who patiently waited for his blocks and then used his low pad level, forward lean and powerful legs to push through tackle attempts in the backfield and second level. His 65-yard jaunt late in the third quarter (getting his knee to the ground before the ball was stripped) set up a touchdown, but Brooks' two fourth-quarter scores are the plays that fans will long remember. He ran as strong and fast on those direct-snap carries down the left numbers as he did in the first quarter -- a fact that won't evade NFL scouts.
Bonus coverage for anyone who is interested:
21) Demarvion Overshown, LB, Texas (6-4, 223)
Previous rank: Not rankedTexas came up short against Oklahoma in another classic Red River Showdown at the Cotton Bowl, but Overshown showed up to play. On OU's first series, he sacked quarterback Spencer Rattler on a third-down blitz and then blocked a punt by pushing a protector backwards and extending his long arm skyward. He recovered a Rattler fumble in the second quarter, after which true freshman passer Caleb Williams took over and eventually led the Sooners' comeback. The tall, lean defender reminds me of longtime Texans starting inside linebacker Zach Cunningham, bringing physicality between the tackles and pursuing the ball all over the field, even at the cost of missing one or two tackles a game.
