LOOK: Kennedy Brooks makes announcement about his future
Kennedy Brooks had quite a night in the Alamo Bowl Wednesday night. Less than 24 hours later, he announced he’s leaving Oklahoma.
Brooks took to Twitter Thursday afternoon to announce he’s declaring for the NFL Draft. He thanked Sooner Nation, former coach Lincoln Riley and running backs coach DeMarco Murray as he explained his decision.
The news comes one day after he helped Oklahoma to a 47-32 victory over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. In that game, Brooks had 14 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Sooners’ offensive charge.
“I’m proud to have earned my degree from such a great university, and I will forever be grateful for all the friendships I’ve gained, and the experiences I’ve had along the way at Oklahoma,” Brooks wrote. “With all of that being said and after much prayer and consideration, I have decided to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft! I am excited about the next step in this journey. #SOONER4L”
More on Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma
Brooks averaging 96.38 yards per game — which ranked fifth in the Big 12 — and scored 13 touchdowns this year.
He arrived at Oklahoma as a four-star recruit out of Mansfield, Texas and the No. 30 running back prospect in the Class of 2017, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Brooks is the fourth Sooner to declare for the NFL Draft, joining Isaiah Thomas, Perrion Winfrey and Nik Bonitto.
Oklahoma went 10-2 this season under Riley, who left for USC after the regular season ended. Sooners legend Bob Stoops took over as the interim coach for the Alamo Bowl and got his first win with Oklahoma since the 2017 Sugar Bowl.
Stoops’ former defensive coordinator, Brent Venables, is taking over as Sooners’ head coach after nine years at Clemson. Venables coached under Stoops from 1999-2011.