Karl Brooks got a chance to showcase his talents among college football’s best last week.

The former Bowling Green State University defensive lineman certainly did not disappoint.

Brooks, a 6-foot-3, 303-pound defensive line standout who spent a large amount of time in opposing teams’ backfields in his BGSU career, showed he was capable of taking his game to another level. He put up impressive performances in the practices leading up to the Senior Bowl, then sacked Heisman Trophy finalist and former Texas Christian quarterback Max Duggan during Saturday’s game.

“My main goal was just a guy coming from Bowling Green and playing against Power Five players, I just wanted to show that I belong and I’m one of the best, as well,” Brooks told The Blade this week. “I felt like I did a pretty good job displaying that for the most part, just showing that I can play against anybody.

“I embraced [the challenge] every day. I embrace it by what I was doing throughout the whole week and my preparation up until practice. It was an honor, and it was just a blessing at the same time just to play against that other competition and put my name out there.”

College football and NFL draft analysts lauded Brooks’ efforts in drills and 11-on-11 situations throughout the week in Mobile, Ala. Brooks did most of his damage from the interior of the line, although he said he is comfortable kicking out to the end as well.

Social media was oftentimes abuzz when Brooks made strong plays during practices.

“Of all the interior defensive linemen, it could be said that Brooks had the best of the non-Power Five players in Mobile,” Cam Mellor, the senior director of college football and the NFL draft for College Football Network and Pro Football Network, told The Blade. “And honestly, besides Wisconsin's Keeanu Benton, Brooks likely had the best week overall from the interior linemen.

“He showcased the power we've come to know of him from his years at Bowling Green and his versatility at the same time, winning multiple reps from all across the defensive line and against guards, centers, and tackles alike.”

Brooks, a first team All-American by Pro Football Focus, was the highest-graded edge defender in the FBS during the 2022 season, according to PFF. He was also No. 1 in hurries (49) and total pressures (69).

Brooks’ 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss were among the nation’s best. His sack total from his final collegiate season and the 27½ for his career both rank third in BGSU history in those respective categories.

After dominating in his BGSU career — 167 total tackles, 46 for loss, one interception, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery — the step up in competition didn’t faze him.

“Karl certainly responded to the jump in competition. He more than held his own,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy told The Blade. “Coaches moved him around to showcase his versatility, and he had some good rushes from multiple alignments in one-on-one drills during practice.

“He also helped himself by getting a sack in the game. What he did last week in Mobile will create positive momentum for him the rest of the draft process.”

Brooks’ biggest assets that can help him in the NFL are his strength at the point of attack and his versatility, according to Mellor. He said Brooks is likely a plug-and-play lineman who can excel at multiple positions across a defensive front, but an area that might need improving would be adding to his pass rushing skill set.

Brooks said he has been focused on improving his weaknesses while also utilizing his strengths.

“There’s a lot of things that I’m working on in my game,” Brooks said. “Naturally just staying low, getting my footwork down to the ‘T’ and just always working consistently.

“It’s a lot of areas to my game that I’m trying to improve, but there’s also areas of my game that’s pretty strong. So just continue to clear up my weaknesses and be a better football player overall.”

Brooks, who is rated 63rd overall in PFF’s Big Board for the 2023 NFL draft, would become BGSU’s first defensive draft pick since tackle Chris Jones in 2013. The Falcons have not had a player taken in the first three rounds since defensive back Charlie Williams was selected in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1995.

With the NFL draft less than two months away, Brooks will continue to be locked in as he prepares for the next step of his football career. His next opportunity is Bowling Green’s pro day March 20.

He was dealt some difficult news Wednesday morning when he wasn’t included in the list of 319 invitees to the NFL Scouting Combine from Feb. 28 to March 6 in Indianapolis, but his motivation to reach professional football remains high.

“At the end of the day, I was always told ‘control what you can control.’ That’s something I can’t control, and I’m already motivated enough,” Brooks said. “I didn’t need that to come out just to motivate me.

“I’m already motivated to just do good for myself, and at the end of the day, I can only control what I can control. I didn’t get invited, so it is what it is, and I’ll be ready for my pro day.”

First Published February 10, 2023, 7:56 p.m.