Charles Brooks III can be a matchup nightmare for opposing Offensive Lineman, due to his ability to play anywhere throughout the Defensive Line.

The Senior Defensive Lineman from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois is versatile due to his biggest strength, his football IQ, knowing all the assignments at every position on the line. He describes himself as an high motor football player who has a true nose for the football. He plays with natural leverage, can redirect to the ball, is flexible enough to drop into zone coverage, and has disruptive penetrating ability with to his strength and speed off the ball. Better yet, Brooks is a coachable player, who’s willing to take criticism to perfect his performance and is disciplined on the field.

Brooks spent his first two seasons at Graceland University, an NAIA school in Iowa, before transferring over to Saint Xavier for his Junior season. At Graceland, he was awarded Freshman All-American, 2nd Team All-HAAC, and Honorable Mention All-HAAC. He was also honored by his team, being named Most Valuable Newcomer, 2x Defensive Lineman of the year, and Homecoming MVP. Last season, due to his transfer, he was aware of having to sit back and learn the system, to play in a key back up role for their Conference Championship season. He finished with 17 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 hit on the Quarterback, and 1 blocked field goal.

This season, he is ready to become a starter and get back in the award winning mode, now that he has a year of experience under his belt. He knows he has to stay hungry and try to stay perfect and disciplined at all times throughout each game of the season. Now is the time to become a team leader as a Senior and make sure all of his teammates are fundamentally sound week in and week out. Not only does he need to give every play everything he has, but he needs to make sure that his team does not fold at any moment, from start to finish, if they want to accomplish a championship season. Brooks has been focusing on getting stronger and faster than ever before. He has been doing field and agility work, while hitting the weight room five days a week. Also, he has been including cross-fit training and proper meal preparations to his routine to keep his body ready for the hard hitting season.

Nothing is taken for granted from Brooks and he knows he can accomplish whatever he puts his mind to. He is setting the bar high in his last season, with goals to become a National Champion, an All-American, and an All-Conference performer. After the season, he simply does not want to end his football career and will work his hardest to get invited to an All-Star game or combine to possibly join an NFL, CFL, or another professional team. Beyond football, when his football days are over, he wants to use his education and his psychology degree to work with the youth from his community to help them achieve their dreams, just like he has.