Big Week for Brooks
Sep 11, 2023 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Phillip Brooks believes that he attended his first Missouri football game to celebrate his 15th birthday. You see, Brooks, a native of Lee's Summit, Missouri, grew up aspiring to play for Mizzou. His sister attended Mizzou. He wondered what it would be like to run through the tunnel and into Faurot Field. He dreamed of someday celebrating in the end zone.
Yes, sir, as a kid, he celebrated several birthdays watching the Tigers inside that stadium. Fond memories. He grins.
"When you're from Missouri," he says, "you want to go to Mizzou."
Never happened. Nope. You might've heard the story. Although Brooks was named to the USA TODAY Sports All-USA Missouri team and a first team all-state selection as a senior at Lee's Summit West High School in 2017, a scholarship offer never materialized.
"It didn't work out in the recruiting," he says.
And that's about all he'll say about that.
Brooks, Kansas State's trusted wide receiver, Preseason All-American punt returner by Athlon, and Preseason All-Big 12 selection as a kickoff and punt returner, will finally get his chance to play at Faurot Field for the first time when the 15th-ranked Wildcats, 2-0, visit the Tigers, 2-0, in Saturday's 11 a.m. kickoff on the SEC Network.
A sixth-year senior, Brooks turns 24 years old on September 19.
A victory over Mizzou in front of family and friends in Columbia, Missouri? Well, that would simply be about the best early birthday present ever.
"I'm excited for this week," Brooks says.
Brooks stands in a black Nike Powercat polo in the Vanier Family Football Complex. K-State has just taken apart Troy, 42-13, snapping the Trojans' 12-game winning streak. The 5-foot-8, 171-pound Brooks played a big part in the victory. He had seven catches for 94 yards and one touchdown. He had a two-yard touchdown off a jet sweep, the first rushing touchdown of his career. He returned three punts for 37 yards. He returned two kickoffs for 45 yards. That's 178 all-purpose yards, the second most in his career.
It's a great day at the office for 5-foot-8, 171-pounder who some teammates have nicknamed "Uncle Phil." There's another part to the Brooks story that is hard to miss.
"I'm old for college football," he says.
But he's very much appreciated.
"Phil's knowledge and experience — he's such an explosive playmaker for us," senior quarterback Will Howard says. "Can't say enough good things about that dude. I love having that dude around here."
Brooks is tied for fourth in the FBS having played in 55 total games. He is one of two players in the FBS with 1,000 receiving yards, 800 kickoff-return yards and 600 punt-return yards.
He ranks No. 1 among all active players in the FBS in averaging 14.4 yards per punt return with at least 40 attempts in a career. He is tied for No. 1 in the FBS with four non-offensive touchdowns.
He's at that stage where every game is another climb up the K-State charts. On Saturday against Troy, he moved into the top-10 at K-State with 3,241 career all-purpose yards. He also has 142 catches and passed Aaron Lockett to fifth on the all-time chart. Only Tyler Lockett (249), Kevin Lockett (217), Jordy Nelson (206) and Michael Smith (179) have more receptions in a career.
He ranks fifth all-time at K-State in averaging 14.4 yards per punt return in his career. Only David Allen (16.0), Aaron Lockett (15.6), Terence Newman (15.4) and Tyler Lockett (15.2) have been better.
"He's such a veteran, and he's so under control," K-State head coach Chris Klieman says. "He understands what we're trying to do with him offensively. He's dynamic as a punt returner. The game slows down for him.
"He's just a complete player."
You might remember Brooks' conquest last year when Missouri visited K-State for the first time in 2011. Brooks took his first punt return of the 2022 season and raced 76 yards into the end zone against the Tigers in a 40-12 win. MU tested him. He passed.
"I feel like I showed them that I could've gone there," he said after the game.
Instead, he's emerged as one of the leaders for a K-State offense that ranks 19th in scoring offense (43.5) and 17th in total offense (492.5). He leads the team with 13 catches for 134 yards and one touchdown. Malik Knowles and Kade Warner are gone. Brooks is making plays.
"All the time there was always somebody overshadowing him," Klieman says. "He's as good of a go-to receiver as we have, and that's exciting. We were wondering what would happen there, and we thought Phil would be steady. Phil has been better than steady."
And that's big. And that's key. Missouri ranks 31st in allowing 14.5 points per game and 16th in surrendering 239.5 yards per contest. If the Tigers have a defensive liability early this season, this is it: Pass defense. The Tigers are giving up 185.0 passing yards per game and rank 71st in team passing efficiency defense at 127.84.
K-State has Brooks and several other viable weapons in the passing game — RJ Garcia II, Jadon Jackson, Keagan Johnson and Ben Sinnott first come to mind — that could cause the Tigers fits.
When it comes to Brooks, it's a simple formula.
"I just keep my head down and work," he says.
There will be a time for Brooks to look back on the successes and feats in his career. But this is definitely not that time. The Wildcats are raising the bar and working toward another Big 12 title game — and more. There cannot be any slip up against Mizzou.
"I like playing Mizzou, I'm excited to play them, and I'll be preparing for them," Brooks says.
He's preparing for many ticket requests from family and friends this week as well.
Who wouldn't want to attend Brooks' early birthday party?
Phillip Brooks believes that he attended his first Missouri football game to celebrate his 15th birthday. You see, Brooks, a native of Lee's Summit, Missouri, grew up aspiring to play for Mizzou. His sister attended Mizzou. He wondered what it would be like to run through the tunnel and into Faurot Field. He dreamed of someday celebrating in the end zone.
Yes, sir, as a kid, he celebrated several birthdays watching the Tigers inside that stadium. Fond memories. He grins.
"When you're from Missouri," he says, "you want to go to Mizzou."
Never happened. Nope. You might've heard the story. Although Brooks was named to the USA TODAY Sports All-USA Missouri team and a first team all-state selection as a senior at Lee's Summit West High School in 2017, a scholarship offer never materialized.
"It didn't work out in the recruiting," he says.
And that's about all he'll say about that.
Brooks, Kansas State's trusted wide receiver, Preseason All-American punt returner by Athlon, and Preseason All-Big 12 selection as a kickoff and punt returner, will finally get his chance to play at Faurot Field for the first time when the 15th-ranked Wildcats, 2-0, visit the Tigers, 2-0, in Saturday's 11 a.m. kickoff on the SEC Network.
A sixth-year senior, Brooks turns 24 years old on September 19.
A victory over Mizzou in front of family and friends in Columbia, Missouri? Well, that would simply be about the best early birthday present ever.
"I'm excited for this week," Brooks says.
Brooks stands in a black Nike Powercat polo in the Vanier Family Football Complex. K-State has just taken apart Troy, 42-13, snapping the Trojans' 12-game winning streak. The 5-foot-8, 171-pound Brooks played a big part in the victory. He had seven catches for 94 yards and one touchdown. He had a two-yard touchdown off a jet sweep, the first rushing touchdown of his career. He returned three punts for 37 yards. He returned two kickoffs for 45 yards. That's 178 all-purpose yards, the second most in his career.
It's a great day at the office for 5-foot-8, 171-pounder who some teammates have nicknamed "Uncle Phil." There's another part to the Brooks story that is hard to miss.
"I'm old for college football," he says.
But he's very much appreciated.
"Phil's knowledge and experience — he's such an explosive playmaker for us," senior quarterback Will Howard says. "Can't say enough good things about that dude. I love having that dude around here."
Brooks is tied for fourth in the FBS having played in 55 total games. He is one of two players in the FBS with 1,000 receiving yards, 800 kickoff-return yards and 600 punt-return yards.
He ranks No. 1 among all active players in the FBS in averaging 14.4 yards per punt return with at least 40 attempts in a career. He is tied for No. 1 in the FBS with four non-offensive touchdowns.
He's at that stage where every game is another climb up the K-State charts. On Saturday against Troy, he moved into the top-10 at K-State with 3,241 career all-purpose yards. He also has 142 catches and passed Aaron Lockett to fifth on the all-time chart. Only Tyler Lockett (249), Kevin Lockett (217), Jordy Nelson (206) and Michael Smith (179) have more receptions in a career.
He ranks fifth all-time at K-State in averaging 14.4 yards per punt return in his career. Only David Allen (16.0), Aaron Lockett (15.6), Terence Newman (15.4) and Tyler Lockett (15.2) have been better.
"He's such a veteran, and he's so under control," K-State head coach Chris Klieman says. "He understands what we're trying to do with him offensively. He's dynamic as a punt returner. The game slows down for him.
"He's just a complete player."
You might remember Brooks' conquest last year when Missouri visited K-State for the first time in 2011. Brooks took his first punt return of the 2022 season and raced 76 yards into the end zone against the Tigers in a 40-12 win. MU tested him. He passed.
"I feel like I showed them that I could've gone there," he said after the game.
Instead, he's emerged as one of the leaders for a K-State offense that ranks 19th in scoring offense (43.5) and 17th in total offense (492.5). He leads the team with 13 catches for 134 yards and one touchdown. Malik Knowles and Kade Warner are gone. Brooks is making plays.
"All the time there was always somebody overshadowing him," Klieman says. "He's as good of a go-to receiver as we have, and that's exciting. We were wondering what would happen there, and we thought Phil would be steady. Phil has been better than steady."
And that's big. And that's key. Missouri ranks 31st in allowing 14.5 points per game and 16th in surrendering 239.5 yards per contest. If the Tigers have a defensive liability early this season, this is it: Pass defense. The Tigers are giving up 185.0 passing yards per game and rank 71st in team passing efficiency defense at 127.84.
K-State has Brooks and several other viable weapons in the passing game — RJ Garcia II, Jadon Jackson, Keagan Johnson and Ben Sinnott first come to mind — that could cause the Tigers fits.
When it comes to Brooks, it's a simple formula.
"I just keep my head down and work," he says.
There will be a time for Brooks to look back on the successes and feats in his career. But this is definitely not that time. The Wildcats are raising the bar and working toward another Big 12 title game — and more. There cannot be any slip up against Mizzou.
"I like playing Mizzou, I'm excited to play them, and I'll be preparing for them," Brooks says.
He's preparing for many ticket requests from family and friends this week as well.
Who wouldn't want to attend Brooks' early birthday party?
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