The list of standout players in Notre Dame’s history that hailed from the state of Arkansas is short. In their attempt to add playmakers to their roster, the Irish are hoping to add to that list and tap into the home of the Razorbacks to land one of the nation’s top wide receivers. Jonesboro standout Zac Brooks (Jonesboro, Ark./Jonesboro) has narrowed his list down to four, and Notre Dame has made the cut.
“Notre Dame, Clemson, Arkansas, and Auburn,” said Jonesboro head coach Randy Coleman of the final four schools that have made the cut with Brooks. “He would like to decide before the season starts. So far he’s been to Arkansas, he’s been to Auburn, and he’s going to go to Clemson in June. He’s going to go to South Bend sometime this summer, but we’re trying to work out the logistics of it, whether he is going to go out with me or if he is going to go with his folks. But he is going to make it to South Bend sometime this summer.”
It does not take one long to realize how special Brooks is to the Jonesboro program, both on and off the field. His head coach spent time speaking with Irish Sports Daily about his standout wide receiver.
“He’s just naturally gifted,” Coleman said. “There’s one coach that I won’t name, one of the head coaches, that compares him to (former NFL running back) Marcus Allen. A lot of coaches see him as a slot or as an X that can play outside as well. A lot of people like the versatility.”
No one knows more about Brooks’ versatility than Coleman. Brooks has been used all over the field Jonesboro, and his production has helped him emerge as one of the top football players in the South.
“It’s definitely a great problem to have when you’ve got somebody that you can line up in different spots and get the ball to in different ways,” Coleman said.
Brooks has played both running back and wide receiver during his time at Jonesboro.
“As a sophomore he played our X and he was always on the left,” continued the Jonesboro head coach. “He was a guy we tried to single up a lot. We’d go trips away from him a lot. After his sophomore year we knew that he was our best player and that he needed touches. The junior season we moved him to running back. It was strictly one of those deals where we knew we could get him the most touches at running back.”
This spring one of Coleman’s young running backs emerged, allowing him to move Brooks back to his more natural position of wide receiver.
“Now we have a younger kid who is a quality running back, and that allows us this year to move Zac back to wide receiver,” Coleman explained. “He will be our Z receiver. He’ll line up in the slot, outside, he’ll be in the backfield some, he’ll be our wildcat quarterback, he’ll be the strength of our formation. We can dictate how the defense lines up with where he is on the field.”
Wherever Coleman has played Brooks, he has excelled. His athleticism and intelligence have allowed him to pick up and adapt quickly to whatever position he plays. To make things even easier for Coleman, his star player is also one of his most selfless players. With Brooks, all that matters is winning.
“He wants to play receiver, but if you sat down with Zac for five minutes you’d find out that if you ask him to play right guard he’d play right guard,” Coleman said endearingly of his star wideout. “He never said one time to me, ‘Coach I need the ball or Coach why didn’t I get the ball.’”
Brooks’ team-first attitude and willingness to do the dirty work should not be confused for an unwillingness to carry the load. Coleman noted that while he is willing to do the dirty work when asked, Brooks is a player who relishes putting the team on his back and carrying them to victory. Brooks was a big reason Jonesboro advanced to the Arkansas state playoffs in 2010. As a junior, he racked up 1385 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on only 180 carries. During his career the talented athlete has also racked up over 70 catches and 900 receiving yards.
“One of the things he was asked recently by a coach was what are your top goals?” Coleman said of a recent conversation Brooks had with a college recruiter. “He said feeling comfortable about where he’s at, getting a quality education, and winning. He didn’t say anything about getting the ball or starting as a freshman.”
According to Coleman, Brooks has maturity beyond his years, and it shows with how he is handling the recruiting process. Brooks is not concerned about flash, immediate playing time, promises from college coaches, or extensive breakdowns of how he will be used. Coleman’s star pupil is looking beyond the gridiron as he prepares to make his college decision.
“One of the best examples that I can give that makes him special is a lot of kids are worried about whether or not they are going to get their touches,” Coleman said. “He’s not worried about that. He’s thinking in a lot broader sense. He’s very grounded and has some good folks. He is one to fit in well just about anywhere he would choose to go because he knows how to act and he knows what is right.”
His focus on the “big picture” is one reason Brooks holds Notre Dame in such high regard.
“His thinking is that Notre Dame offers a network that once he graduates he can benefit and find a job anywhere across the country,” said Coleman of the thought process going into Brooks’ decision.
Brooks is not looking for a certain offense or a specific way that he will be used. If he finds the right fit off the field, along with a program committed to winning, Brooks knows his talent will determine how he will be used at the next level.
“Let’s be honest, he’s confident in his skill set,” Coleman said of Brooks. “He thinks if he went to Navy or Air Force that he would be utilized in the best possibly way. He is just wanting to find a place with the education and feeling the family atmosphere and fitting in and feeling comfortable, that is way more important to him than scheme or other things.”
With the four schools on his final list, Coleman believes that Brooks is in a win-win situation. Wherever his star goes, Coleman is confident that he will not only excel off the field, but on the field as well.
“I think he’s going to be an immediate impact kind of guy,” Coleman said. “You didn’t hear me say he’s going to step on campus from day one and be a starter. But I think he can help in the return game, on special teams. He’s blocked two punts for us over the last two years, so not just in the return game but also be able to help on special teams. I think he’s going to be an impact guy right away.”
On film Brooks looks like a natural at running back. He also looks like a natural catching the football. His size and toughness could also make a defensive coordinator beg to get him on defense. Coleman sees the offensive side of the ball in Brooks’ future.
“I think he’s probably a slot receiver,” Coleman said of his four-star player. “I think there may be times where he could line up outside and do well, but him on a nickel linebacker or safety and you got advantage Zac. Also, because of the running back skills that he has that puts him in good position for things like reverses and getting involved in the screen game and the run game. His skill set, looking like a natural running back, I just think you have more ways to get him touches and not just necessarily catching the ball downfield touches.”
Brooks will play for either Brian Kelly, Bobby Petrino, Gus Malzahn, or Chad Morris. Those are four of the best offensive football minds in the country. Those are four coaches that know exactly how to maximize the ability of a player with the kind of attitude, desire, and talent possessed by Zac Brooks.
