Kansas State standing out to DT Cameron Brooks

After not taking a high school nose guard in the 2024 class, Kansas State may look to make it more of a priority in the 2025 cycle. K-State is in a good position early on for Chicago area nose guard Brad Fitzgibbon.

Another one to keep in mind is also a Chicago area native in Cameron Brooks. He was offered by Kansas State January 30 during the contact period.

“The offer was amazing,” Brooks said. “To receive an offer from a school with that pedigree and how much they’ve done in recent years is just a blessing.”

K-State defensive tackles coach Mike Tuiasosopo as well as defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman offered the junior. It makes sense as Tuiasosopo is his position coach and Klanderman has ties to the region and recruits that city for the Wildcats.

“They liked how I can move really well for my size and looked explosive,” Brooks shared. “And they said they thought my tape was great, and I was a respectful person.”

Tuiasosopo made it a point to see Brooks at his high school. He was at Homewood-Flossmoor High School twice during the month of January to show him how much he was wanted but to also make a thorough evaluation.

“Tuiasosopo was very intent and very knowledgeable,” Brooks pointed out. “He knows his stuff and was very informative. He’s sent a lot of big time players to the NFL, which also is huge.”

Brooks knows a little more than that about Kansas State.

“I know that it is a great school with championship aspirations every year,” he explained. “It’s a school that has a chance to do big things and play in the College Football Playoff next year and win the conference. They send guys to the NFL, and they’re always a disciplined fast and physical team.”

In terms of the last point, he’s correct, as noted by the increase of draft picks since Chris Klieman was hired as the K-State head coach. Just this week it was announced that they had four players invited to participate at the NFL Scouting Combine.

One of those was a defensive player in linebacker Khalid Duke, but a few more were sent from that unit in the year prior, including a first round NFL Draft pick. And Brooks has taken note of that and the scheme that Kansas State deploys.

“It’s a great system,” he opined. “It’s similar to the system I play in now in high school and it gives me an advantage.”

Seven schools have offered him to this point. Four of those have moved to the forefront of his recruitment, though.

“Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State and Miami (Ohio) are standing out,” Brooks revealed. “They have shown the most interest and love and support.”

Brooks plans to commit to a school either during the Spring or early Summer.