This is part of a series looking at potential 2023 NFL draft picks from the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.
BOWLING GREEN — Since the turn of the century, Bowling Green State University has not had many defensive players selected in the NFL draft.
Karl Brooks is hoping to change that this weekend.
Brooks, one of the best linemen in BGSU history, will look to become the Falcons’ first defensive selection since tackle Chris Jones was chosen in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2013. Brooks has a solid chance at being BGSU’s seventh NFL draft pick in the last 20 years and first since wide receiver Scotty Miller was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019.
Here is what to know about Brooks.
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 300 pounds
Hometown: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Sexton)
Projected NFL position: Defensive tackle
What you’ll remember about him at BGSU: Brooks’ versatility along the defensive line and loyalty to the program certainly stood out at BGSU. He played all five of his collegiate seasons (52 games) at BGSU. A three-star linebacker who was the No. 2,078 recruit by 247Sports in the 2018 high school class, Brooks appeared in all 12 games as a freshman and developed into the highest-graded edge defender in the FBS during the 2022 season, according to Pro Football Focus. Brooks was the leader of a Falcons’ defense that tied a school record with 38 sacks in the 2022 season, which included BGSU’s first bowl appearance and best record since 2015.
Key stats: Brooks cemented himself among the BGSU football elite with his 27½ career sacks, including 10 in his final season. Both rank third all time behind Kevin O’Brien and Jones, who are 1-2 in those respective categories. Brooks’ sack total this season ranked tied for 11th in the FBS. For his career, Brooks also compiled 167 total tackles, including 46 for loss.
Career development: Brooks was consistent throughout his BGSU career. He had 32 and 33 total tackles in 2018 and 2019, respectively. After playing only three games in the coronavirus pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Brooks notched 42 and 50 total tackles the last two seasons. Perhaps the most impressive part of his development has been the fact that he gained around 70 pounds in college. His 2018 BGSU profile lists him at 235 pounds; he was up to 259 as a sophomore and 280 as a junior before hovering around 300 the last two seasons.
His future: A successful week of practices at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, as well as recording a sack in the game on Feb. 4, certainly helped Brooks’ NFL hopes. Although he wasn’t invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Brooks took part in what he called a “great showing” — despite battling an illness — in front of representatives from 28 teams at BGSU’s pro day on March 20. Defensive tackle will likely be his main position at the next level. Brooks, who has slipped to No. 99 in the latest PFF Big Board for the 2023 NFL Draft, is mostly projected to be drafted in the middle rounds, but some national media outlets have him as high as a second-round pick and as low as undrafted.
Quote: “His biggest strengths were definitely on display at the Senior Bowl – his strength at the point of attack and his versatility. He may not have a specific position in the NFL carved out for him right away, but that may be a good thing as he adjusts to the speed, strength, and where he fits in long term at the next level. Right now, he's likely a plug-and-play lineman that can excel at multiple positions across a defensive front, meaning he has ample time to display his skills as early as Year 1. Adding to his pass-rushing skill set is likely an area he'd need to improve going forward. He's either going to have to add muscle/weight or add speed, the former being the easier of the two to accomplish, so he'll have to ensure he doesn't lose any of his pass-rushing moves and hopefully adds a skill or two with NFL coaching, as he moves more inside.” – Cam Mellor, executive editor of College Football Network
First Published April 26, 2023, 8:58 p.m.
