By Will Vandervort
Zac Brooks came to Clemson last January with the reputation of being a ball carrier that can run the football with the tenacity of a James Davis, while having the soft hands and speed that made C.J. Spiller one of the greatest duel threats in Clemson history.
Brooks is considered an all-around back and there were a few instances in his freshman season where he showed flashes. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry while gaining 47 yards against Furman and then totaled 62 yards on 12 carries in a win at Duke.
In high school, Brooks played both running back and wide receiver. He had 10 touchdown receptions in his high school career, including 38 catches for 769 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. He had 33 receptions as a junior and 28 as a senior.
“His duel threat ability makes him more of a threat, and will make us more of a threat,” Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris said.
Though he has big-play potential, there are a few things holding the sophomore from Jonesboro, AR back. Brooks spent more time on the sideline than on the field last year because he had trouble in pass blocking schemes. Not only did he struggle to pick up blitzing linebackers, but when he did pick them up, he was not strong enough to take them on.
In other words, he became a liability.
“I worked on that throughout the winter workouts,” Brooks said. “My bench max has been increasing since I got up here and everything has been increasing very gradually. I have to keep working hard to get to my max.
“I know the potential that I have. I don’t think I have put forth everything I can give, yet. I’m still trying to work so I can give it everything I have.”
Brooks has increased his weight from 175 pounds when he arrived at Clemson last January to 190 right now. His goal is to get to 200 pounds before the start of fall camp, something he knows he can achieve if he puts in the work.
His other goal is to get the playbook down, something he admitted he struggled a bit with last year, which in turn hurt his confidence. That’s been a little more difficult this spring then he first thought it would be. Morris changed up a few things in the signals, which threw the sophomore for a loop or two when spring practice started.
“I was hoping I could come in with the same knowledge as I did last year and I thought it was going to push me forward a little quicker, but when things changed, it kind of threw me so I have done some studying to get on top of it.”
This spring, Morris has changed the name of the plays, while also incorporating a number system in the signals.
“The offensive scheme in blocking is a little different,” Brooks said. “We are doing more with the running backs initiating which way to block. I have to get more knowledge in the offense. When I start to get more confidence in the offense and have more knowledge then those calls will be a lot easier for me.”
Morris has been pleased with the progress Brooks has made since last fall. He says the young running back is having “a descent spring” and is giving them the production they need. Morris wants Brooks to get in a position to push both Roderick McDowell and D.J. Howard for serious playing time this fall.
“He needs to continue to get bigger and stronger, which will come,” the Clemson coach said. “He needs to play with toughness and play with an edge. He needs to be a dominant back. That is his thing. It is a mindset. It has nothing to do with physicality.
“He has done better, but he still has to get even better.”