Western Kentucky’s Mason Brooks makes transfer decision: “Ole Miss checked the most boxes.”

Mason Brooks had his life turned upside down a month ago.

His apartment complex in Bowling Green, Ky., was struck by a tornado, which cost him most of his possessions and forced him to live out of a hotel room as Western Kentucky prepared for the Boca Raton Bowl. The Hilltoppers defeated Appalachian State, 59-38.

He’d already entered the NCAA transfer portal before the game, and once the season was over, the two-time All-Conference USA tackle began the recruitment process. He spent the last week-plus traveling the country to see his finalists for himself. 

Make no mistake, Brooks still has a lot on his plate, especially off the field. But, if nothing else, he knows where he’ll be spending his final year of college.

Brooks announced his commitment to Ole Miss on Monday. He chose the Rebels over Auburn, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and others.

“It’s probably been the most hectic month I’ve ever had,” Brooks said, in an exclusive interview with The Ole Miss Spirit. “It’s relieving for it to finally be done, and I’m excited to get going at Ole Miss. It’s been a wild ride, but happy with where I landed.”

Brooks was overwhelmed with interest once he hit the portal Dec. 8.

The calls, texts and offers became so much, he ultimately decided he had to eliminate entire conferences. Brooks turned his full attention to schools in the Big 12 and the SEC.

He visited Ole Miss, one of his final stops, the middle of last week. He’d already held a Zoom call with third-year Rebel head coach Lane Kiffin.

“A lot of schools I narrowed it down to had a lot of things on the list,” he said. “I really liked Oklahoma State. I loved my coaches at Texas Tech that were at Western with me. I liked Auburn, Mississippi State and Baylor. It got down to the wire in terms of splitting hairs of what I liked.”

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Brooks said Ole Miss won out because of its offensive scheme.

The Rebels were 10-3 in 2021-22, including their 10th all-time appearance in the Sugar Bowl. Kiffin’s up-tempo attack totaled 6,402 yards in 13 games — good enough for the No. 6 overall offense in college football.

Ole Miss was first in the SEC in total offense and third in passing and rushing offense.

“A big reason why I got into the portal was to challenge myself,” Brooks, a former On3 consensus three-star prospect, said. “Inarguably, one of the highest levels is the SEC West. It fits me personally as a player. I feel like that gives me a lot of preparation for the ultimate level, which is the NFL.”

Brooks graded out as one of the very best right tackles in the Group of Five last season. 

Also on Monday, veteran Ole Miss left tackle Nick Broeker announced his return for one final season. Brooks or returning right tackle Jeremy James could slide into Broeker’s spot, with Broeker shifting to the interior. 

Bottom line: Ole Miss has options. Brooks is excited to be a part of it.

“I liked Kiffin. I think he’s a character, but he’s a great dude and real serious about being successful,” Brooks said. “It was the culmination of a lot of things. I took my visits very seriously. I stayed away from the photo shoot/recruiting aspect of it and focused on scheme and fundamentals and what the staff is like. 

“Ole Miss checked the most boxes out of that. Gut feeling. Really happy with my decision. I feel like it’s the best fit for me.”