Senior running back British Brooks will return to North Carolina and play in the 2022 season. Brooks, a former walk-on, is a massive addition for the 2022 roster.
Brooks will be a fifth-year senior next season. During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Brooks appeared in 23 games, mostly playing on special teams. Brooks was the team’s special team captain and MVP in 2020.
#UNC running back British Brooks, who had a breakout game against vs. N.C. State, has decided to come back for the 2022 season at North Carolina. He went through Senior Day festivities.
— Ross Martin (@RossMartinNC) December 8, 2021
After Brooks ran for 53 yards in the Orange Bowl vs. Texas A&M — with Javonte Williams and Michael Carter sitting out — expectations rose for Brooks heading into the 2021 season. However, Tennessee transfer Ty Chandler became UNC’s go-to running back: 173 carries for 1,063 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Brooks finished fourth on the roster with only 26 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns.
During the 2021 season, Brooks recorded carries in only three separate games. One of those games, though, will serve, once again, as a jumping off point for next season.
Brooks had his best game as a collegian during North Carolina’s collapse in Raleigh vs. NC State. Despite the loss, Brooks ran for a career-best 124 yards on 15 carries.
Regardless of who plays quarterback for UNC next season, Mack Brown can have confidence in the veteran presence of Brooks, an explosive runner, and star wide receiver Josh Downs.