Saluda RB hearing from Gamecocks
SALUDA, S.C. - Saluda (S.C.) class of 2017 running back Malik Brooks missed his entire sophomore season with an injury, but burst onto the scene last season with 2,132 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
"Malik is the complete package," Saluda head coach Stewart Young says. "He had 314 carries with just one fumble. He protects the ball well and he blocks well. He gets stronger as the game goes and puts the team on his back. As good as he is as a player, he's an even better citizen. He will be a cornerstone of some college team one day."
Brooks big season has led to offers from Presbyterian College and Gardner Webb plus interest from several Power 5 programs.
South Carolina co-offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon is Brooks' recruiter of record.
"He told me I was a top prospect in the class of 2017," Brooks said. "Him and coach Bobby Bentley - they really like me. He's coming back down in the spring to evaluate me then. He just wants me to keep in contact with them - come up for a few camps maybe - and they're going to keep in contact with me."
Brooks would definitely have interest in the Gamecocks if an offer were to come.
"I've been to a couple of games at Carolina - the atmosphere and the environment - I just love it," Brooks said. "It's just something about being in that atmosphere. It always has been a school that I wanted to go. And now they have Will Muschamp - I heard him speak at the all-state banquet - he seems like a great coach."
Brooks recently took a visit to PC and left impressed.
"The people on campus, nice people, good people - I met a lot of people," Brooks said. "I met the president on campus, that was big time. I love their campus. The facilities and the coaches were all nice, so I felt like I was at home. The head coach told me I am their No. 1 priority right now."
Brooks plans to visit South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, Appalachian State, Gardner Webb and Coastal Carolina this summer.
He's using this offseason to try and become a better running back.
"I'm working on my speed," Brooks said. "I've been in the weight room every day, so I think by getting in the weight room, it will also increase my speed. But I also took some training courses in Lexington. So I think that will help me a lot with my speed. I clocked like a 4.54 in the 40 which is by far my fastest."
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