British Brooks Bio
British Brooks is an American professional fullback who plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 18, 1999, in Gastonia, North Carolina, Brooks played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2018 to 2023. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Houston Texans and earned a spot on their initial 53-man roster after impressing during training camp and the preseason. Brooks wears jersey number 44 for the Texans.
Early Life and Background
British Brooks grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he attended Ashbrook High School. During his final two seasons at Ashbrook, Brooks established himself as a standout running back, accumulating 2,597 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns combined. His exceptional performance on the field earned him recognition throughout the Big South Conference.
As a junior at Ashbrook High School, Brooks earned Big South Offensive Player of the Year honors after rushing for 1,253 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also named first-team All-Big South Conference for his outstanding play. Heading into his senior year, Brooks received recognition as a preseason WSOC Big 22 standout, highlighting his status as one of the top prospects in the region.
During his senior season, Brooks continued his dominant performance by compiling 1,344 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He recorded a career-high game with 272 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a single contest, further solidifying his reputation. For the second consecutive year, he earned first-team All-Big South Conference honors.
Path to Professional Football
Following his decorated high school career, Brooks made the decision to walk on to play college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels. This choice marked the beginning of his journey toward professional football, as he transitioned from a highly decorated high school running back to a collegiate player seeking to prove himself at the Power Five level.
Brooks spent five seasons with the Tar Heels from 2018 to 2023, gradually developing his skills and earning increased playing time. His versatility as a runner and his contributions on special teams caught the attention of coaches, leading to leadership roles within the program.
British Brooks Career
College Career (2018–2023)
British Brooks began his college career as a true freshman in 2018, appearing in six games for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He carried the ball seven times for 57 yards during his inaugural season, showing flashes of his potential as a running back in the ACC.
In 2019, Brooks played in 11 games and scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown against Mercer. He also recorded multiple single-tackle games on special teams during the season, demonstrating his willingness to contribute in various roles beyond offensive carries.
North Carolina Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Brooks saw his role expand significantly in 2020 when he appeared in all 12 games for the Tar Heels. He made his first collegiate start at running back in the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M, finishing the season with 99 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Brooks was named Special Teams MVP and served as a captain that season, reflecting the respect he earned from coaches and teammates.
The 2021 season proved to be a breakout year for Brooks. He appeared in 11 games, rushing 31 times for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He set a career-high with 124 rushing yards on 15 carries against NC State in the season finale. Brooks also recorded 72 rushing yards and a 63-yard touchdown against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, marking the longest rushing touchdown in the bowl’s history. He earned Special Teams MVP honors for the second consecutive year, served as captain again, and contributed six tackles on special teams.
Brooks faced a significant setback when he missed the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury. He returned for his final collegiate season in 2023, appearing in 12 games with two starts. He totaled 75 carries for 387 yards and two touchdowns, along with 14 receptions for 73 yards. Brooks rushed for over 50 yards in four games, including a 103-yard performance in the season opener against South Carolina, earning ACC Running Back of the Week honors. Over his college career, Brooks appeared in 52 games, rushing for 848 yards and seven touchdowns while making 17 tackles on special teams.
Houston Texans Era (2024–Present)
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. He joined a Texans team looking to build depth at the fullback position. Brooks impressed coaches during training camp and the preseason, demonstrating his versatility as a runner and his reliability on special teams.
His strong performance earned him a spot on the Texans’ initial 53-man roster, fulfilling his goal of making an NFL team despite going undrafted. Brooks played in five games for the Texans as a rookie before being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of his rookie season. He recorded one rushing attempt for two yards, one tackle on special teams, and played nine offensive snaps and 79 special teams snaps during his limited action.
Playing Style and Strengths
British Brooks brings a blend of size and athleticism to the fullback position. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 225 pounds, he possesses the frame to be an effective lead blocker while maintaining the running skills developed during his collegiate career. His experience as a running back gives him natural ball-carrying instincts, and his special teams contributions throughout his career demonstrate his willingness to do whatever is asked to help his team win.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brooks achieved several notable accomplishments during his college career, including earning ACC Running Back of the Week honors in 2023 and setting the longest rushing touchdown record in Duke’s Mayo Bowl history with his 63-yard score against South Carolina. His selection as Special Teams MVP twice at North Carolina highlighted his value as a two-way player capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game.
British Brooks Career Statistics
Throughout his college and professional career, Brooks has accumulated impressive statistics across rushing, receiving, and special teams contributions.
College Career Highlights
Over six seasons with the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2018 to 2023, Brooks appeared in 52 games. He rushed for 848 yards and seven touchdowns on 214 carries while catching 14 passes for 73 yards. His career-high single-game rushing performance came in 2023 with a 103-yard effort against South Carolina. Brooks also made 17 tackles on special teams throughout his collegiate career, earning MVP honors in that phase of the game twice.
Professional Career Statistics
In his rookie season with the Houston Texans in 2024, Brooks appeared in five games before being placed on injured reserve. He recorded 17 rushing attempts for 78 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, along with 11 tackles on special teams.
| Competition | Games | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Special Teams Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (UNC, 2018–2023) | 52 | 848 | 7 | 17 |
| NFL (Texans, 2024) | 5 | 78 | 0 | 11 |
Family
Personal Life
British Brooks maintains connections to his hometown of Gastonia, North Carolina. His journey from Ashbrook High School to the NFL represents a path through dedication and persistence, having walked on at the University of North Carolina before eventually earning recognition as a reliable two-way player. Brooks continues to serve as an inspiration for aspiring football players from the Gastonia area.
2025 Season Performance
As British Brooks enters the 2025 season with the Houston Texans, he looks to build upon his rookie campaign after recovering from the injury that cut his 2024 season short. With a full offseason of preparation and NFL coaching, Brooks aims to carve out a more significant role in the Texans’ offense and special teams units.
The Texans’ coaching staff continues to evaluate Brooks based on his performance during organized team activities, minicamp, and training camp. His versatility as both a blocker and a potential ball carrier provides the team with tactical flexibility. Brooks’ special teams experience gives him an edge in making the roster, as his ability to contribute in the kicking game remains a valuable asset.
The 2025 season presents Brooks with an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable contributor for the Texans. With continued development in the team’s offensive scheme and stronger health, he seeks to increase his offensive touches while maintaining his special teams presence. Brooks’ journey from an undrafted free agent to a roster player demonstrates his resilience and determination to succeed at the highest level of professional football.