Durant Brooks

Durant Stiles Brooks (born April 15, 1985 in Macon, Georgia) is a former American football punter. He was drafted by Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech.

Brooks has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Early years

Brooks attended Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Georgia and was a student and a letterman in football and basketball. In football, he was the punter on the 2001 Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) Title team. In basketball, he averaged nearly 18 points a game. Brooks graduated from Tattnall in 2003. He credits his strong leg with saying, "Horseback riding has helped my leg get stronger."^[1] His father, Paul Brooks, now coaches at John Milledge Academy in Milledgeville, Georgia.

College career

Georgia Military College

Brooks attended Georgia Military College and was a student and a two-year letterman in football. In football, he posted an average of 40 yards per punt over two years. In his senior season, Brooks had an average of 45.3.

Georgia Tech

After graduating from Georgia Military College, Brooks attended Georgia Tech, punting for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as a redshirt junior. In his two years at Georgia Tech, Brooks had 144 punts: nearly half (68) landed inside the 20 yard line, while 57 went for more than 50 yards.^[1] His longest punt came in his final ACC game in 2007: playing against North Carolina, Brooks stood at the back of his own end-zone and punted the ball to the opposite 16-yard line—the punt was officially marked as 77 yards (from the line of scrimmage at the seven to the opposite 16), but measured over 90 yards from the spot of the punt.^[2]

As a junior, Brooks came in third place for the Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in the country. He was also named to the All-American second team by AP, and the All-ACC first team.^[1]

As a senior, Brooks received the Ray Guy Award, ranking second in the ACC (and fourth in the nation) in punting average while only allowing his opponents to return 19 of his 65 punts. That year, he was also named to the All-American second team by AP (first team by Sports Illustrated and Rivals) and the All-ACC first team.^[1]

Professional career

Washington Redskins

Brooks was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the Redskins on July 11. Brooks won the punting job over Derrick Frost, who was released on August 30.

After week 6 of the 2008 NFL season reports surfaced that Brooks was to be replaced by a veteran due to his poor performance. His gross average of 39.6 yards and net average of 32.1 yards were last in the NFL at the time.^[3] On October 15, the Redskins signed punter Ryan Plackemeier, effectively ending Brooks' tenure with the team.

Green Bay Packers

Brooks was signed to the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers on December 15, 2008 after running back Steven Korte was released. He was re-signed to a future contract at the end of the season. The Packers released Brooks on August 31, 2009 after he lost the punting job to Jeremy Kapinos.

Philadelphia Eagles

After spending the 2009 season out of football, Brooks signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on February 2, 2010. He was expected to compete with Sav Rocca for the starting punter job,^[4] but was waived on May 25.^[5]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Brooks signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 5, 2010, but was waived a week later on August 12.

Personal

Brooks was mentored by family friend and legendary punter Ray Guy, who lived in Thomson, Georgia. He is married to Natanya Harper.

References

External links

• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets bio