BLUEFIELD, Va. — Frank Brooks is looking to pick up where he left off on the football field two years ago. The redshirt junior is back on the field for the Bluefield College Rams, holding down a safety position and running back kicks and punts.
In 2012 as a freshman Brooks had 69 tackles. As a sophomore in 2013 he had 77 tackles with four interceptions. He was named all Mid-South Conference second team and heading into the 2014 campaign he was tabbed an NAIA preseason All-American. However, a freakish injury hit and he missed all of last season. Brooks broke his leg while working out on his high school field in Newport News, Va.
A 2012 graduate of Heritage High School, Brooks takes pride in hailing from the Tidewater region of Virginia.
"I'm from the Peninsula District, 757, so I crry that on my back every time I play. The area is known for sports and Heritage (High), they are pretty good," Brooks pointed out.
The 5'8 safety is back on the field and he is optimistic about the prospects for him and his team in 2015.
"I feel good. I feel like we've got a lot of veterans. Me and some more guys have been here since the ground up about four years ago. I'm excited about it," Brooks said.
The Rams won three games in 2014, the first victories since the program was revived in 2012 after last playing in 1941. Brooks believes those victories will serve as a springboard for this seaon.
"I feel like it's going to carry over to this season," Brooks said. "We got our first road win, all we need now is our first home win. We're going to build on that."
Brooks credits his attending Bluefield College to former a former BC assistant who recruited him.
"Four years ago Coach Stacey Hairston came to Heritage and he gave me a call, asked me if I wanted to come. I said, 'Yeah, I'll come.' I picked the school that picked me," Brooks said. "It was tough then because we were losing. I had individual success and I could only get better each year before the injury. I was doing well."
Brooks has worked hard to return from his broken leg and believes that the Rams will turn some heads this season, beginning Thursday night at Pikeville.
"I feel like everyone is playing with a little more confidence," Smith observed. "I feel like this is the most experienced veterans we've ever had on the team, so we ought to play fast with more confidence now.
"I feel like our defense is the strongest part of the teamand I feel like the team can rally around the defense this year and we're going to win."
In addition to his spot in the secondary, Brooks is a threat as a punt and kick returner.
"I enjoy returning kicks and punts. I feel like I'm dangerous with the ball in my hands," Brooks said. "In high school I played receiver and a little bit of running back. I feel like I've got a talent of making people miss. I really enjoy punt returning."
Brooks and the Rams open the 2015 season Thursday night in Pikeville, Ky., against the University of Pikeville Bears.