4-star OT Nick Brooks commits to Texas: 'Texas is the school that had my heart'

Loganville (Ga.) Grayson offensive tackle Nick Brooks took official visits to Georgia, Texas and USC. Heading into the summer, the buzz was around the Bulldogs, but as the visits were taken and Brooks progressed through the process, it shifted toward the Longhorns.

USC didn’t give up. Georgia pushed for the four-star. But Texas is the school the 6-foot-7, 360-pounder committed to.

“The official visit really changed things for me,” Brooks told On3. “Texas brought me in like family and me and my family loved it. Georgia was ahead in the spring, then I went on a visit to Texas. Seeing the atmosphere there and being around the people made it closer.

“Then on the official visit, I knew. That is really when I made my decision. How I felt on the official visit pushed Texas to the top. They got the last visit, so after I had that feeling, I sat down with my family and talked it out.

“In the end, after taking some time to myself and thinking things over, I knew it was Texas. Texas is the school that had my heart.”

So what sealed the deal for the Longhorns?

“Texas has a lot that I like. It is a great coaching staff, I love the vibe in Austin and they have a great brotherhood, but seeing how my family felt around the school and the coaches played a big part in my decision. My mom and my little bother had a great experience on the visit, the coaches made them feel like family and that really stood out to me.

“How the coaches took me in made a big difference too. They started recruiting me in the spring, they recruited me hard, they built some great relationships and they showed so much love that I felt like the president.”

Brooks is excited about playing for Flood and Sarkisian at Texas

Brooks build some good relationships with coaches over the last couple of years. He was at one time committed to Iowa, so he knows the people there well. He had over 30 offers, so different schools across the county were involved at different times, but the staff in Austin won out.

They connected with the No. 208 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking the best.

“Coach Steve Sarkisian was the head coach I had the best relationship with,” Brooks said. “I talked to a lot of head coaches, but our talks were different. He was always checking on me and making sure I was keeping my head up. Coach Sarkisian kept things positive and he was just easy for me to talk to.”

Brooks is a believer in Sarkisian. He had Texas in the college football playoffs last season and the play in the trenches was a big part of that success. Kyle Flood is the leader in the offensive line room and Brooks is excited about working with him.

“Coach Flood has put many linemen in the NFL at the different schools he has been at. He is a smart guy who can develop players and I like how he coaches. We have a good relationship, he has real knowledge of the offensive line and I know he can help me get where I want to go.”