Texas Tech standout RB Tahj Brooks returning for 2024 season

Texas Tech standout running back Tahj Brooks announced Monday that he will return to the Red Raiders for the 2024 season, his fifth with the school.

Brooks ranks fourth nationally with 1,443 rushing yards. He also has nine rushing scores.

Brooks released a video through the Matador Club, a non-profit entity that helps provide name, image and likeness opportunities for Texas Tech athletes.

"I'm coming back. It's going to be an exciting, fun season next year, and I can't wait to be part of it," Brooks said.

There was major apprehension that Brooks was planning to declare for the NFL draft as he took part in senior day activities prior to a game against UCF on Nov. 18. Then after rushing for a career-high 182 yards, he said he believed it was his final home game with the Red Raiders.

But now he appears to be back for one final season. He enters Saturday's Independence Bowl against Cal with 2,957 rushing yards and will have a chance to join Byron Hanspard (4,219 yards from 1994-96) and James Gray (4,066 from 1986-89) as the lone Red Raiders with 4,000 career rushing yards.

"This is an exciting day for our program with Tahj announcing his return for next season," Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire said in a statement. "From our conversations in recent weeks, it was clear that Tahj wants to leave a legacy here at Texas Tech and that a return for next season would help him do just that. Not only is Tahj one of the nation's top running backs, but he is a phenomenal teammate and leader of this program."

Brooks has topped 100 eight yards times this season and also had outings of 98 and 95 yards.

—Field Level Media