Green Bay Packers sign former Penn State star linebacker Ellis Brooks
After an impressive collegiate career at Penn State, linebacker Ellis Brooks was hoping to hear his name called during the 2022 NFL Draft. That did not come to fruition, as Brooks ended up hitting the market as an undrafted free agent. Just hours following the conclusion of the draft, the Packers signed Brooks to an undrafted free agent deal.
Brooks steadily increased his production at Penn State from 2018 until 2021. In his first year, he had 30 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one interception. During the 2019 season, he had 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one fumble recovery. In 2020, Brooks had 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass defended, and two forced fumbles. This past season, he starred as a key part of Penn State’s defense with 100 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass defended.
Brooks isn’t the only linebacker that the Packers have added this weekend. Green Bay drafted Georgia linebacker Quay Walker with the No. 22 overall pick on Thursday, and then selected South Carolina’s Kingsley Enagbare in the fifth round on Saturday.
What the Packers are getting in Brooks
Prior to the NFL Draft, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein broke down the game of every draft-eligible prospect in this year’s class. When assessing Brooks’ status in this year’s draft, Zierlein admitted that he didn’t think he was likely to carry over his success into the NFL. But the Packers are certainly hoping for a different outcome with Brooks.
“Inside linebacker with a worker-bee mentality whose solid production as a senior is unlikely to translate to the pros,” Zierlein stated. “Brooks plays with a compact, short-armed body type, lacking both range and explosiveness. He plays with adequate recognition and a willingness to stick his nose into the fray, which bolsters his cause.
“Brooks lacks the take-on strength and force-oriented demeanor to make up for his athletic deficiencies and profiles as a better college player than pro prospect.”
Brooks will have his first chance to prove himself at the NFL level when Packers rookie minicamp begins later this summer.