It’s all in the family for Centreville senior DE Christian Brooks

The UVA commit played alongside his two younger brothers and a cousin this season


Watch Christian Brook’s defensive highlights with the Wildcats. (Video via Hudl)


December 2, 2015, 11:00 p.m. — With two of his top priorities being family and football, it is a good time to be Christian Brooks. The senior defensive end had the rare opportunity to play alongside his two brothers and a cousin this year for Centreville.

Brooks just wrapped up his prep career with the Wildcats in Clifton, Va. and recently committed to play for the University of Virginia, a school currently going through a transitional period after Mike London resigned as the football coach over the weekend.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound prospect announced his intent to join the Cavaliers program back on Oct. 31, partly because of his close relationship with London.

“What attracted me to UVA is Mike London, of course, I like him a lot, how he treats people and he takes interest, and he is genuinely nice,” Brooks said.

Brooks hasn’t altered from his original decision yet, as he still appreciates the education he will receive as a future engineering student and the proximity to his family being just two hours way in Charlottesville.

“It’s UVA, it’s like an Ivy League school,” Brooks said.

Prior to his commitment, the ferocious pass-rusher racked up 14 Division I offers, including California, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami, N.C. State, Nevada, ODU, Pittsburgh, UConn, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

“I get to go to college on a free education, not many people get that chance, it’s pretty amazing and I’m just grateful for it,” Christian said.

His younger brother, Caleb, a junior defensive end for the Wildcats known for his quickness, has also received an offer from the Cavaliers. Like his eldest brother, Caleb was a big fan of Coach London.

“I really love Coach London, he reminds me of my family and my dad a lot, when I talk to him it’s like talking to my dad,” Caleb said.

Despite the talented family duo on the defensive side of the ball this season, the Wildcats had a tough year under the leadership of Coach Chris Haddock, finishing with a 4-7 record after falling in the first round of the playoffs to Robinson.


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Watch Caleb Brook’s defensive highlights with the Wildcats. (Video via Hudl)


The youngest of the Brooks trio is Gabe, who started at offensive tackle on varsity this season as a sophomore.

“My brothers are very much my role models,” Gabe said, “I think of reaching their level as my goal. As the season progressed this year I found myself jumping up for chances to face off with them.”

Gabe has gained valuable experience this season as he has been able to watch and learn from his brothers up close, and has been impressed by their effort. For Christian, he has been most impressed by his drive to reach his goals, and for Caleb he enjoys seeing his love for the game.

“I learned a lot from them,” Gabe said, “like from Caleb I learned some better ways to get off blocks or how to find ‘tells.’ From Christian I learned leadership, this past year he has really stepped up as a senior leader.”

All three brothers are at least 6-foot-3, so just imagine the amount of food that must have been consumed in that house throughout the years, especially during the football season.

The last of the Brooks clan is cousin Kobie Turner, the junior tight end for the Wildcats, making it a true family affair at Centreville.

“It was so awesome, just everyday going to practice and having my brothers and my cousin there,” Christian said. “They are my best friends for sure, I would love for all of them to come to UVA and play football with me.”

Whether the eldest Brooks brother will ultimately land in Charlottesville remains to be seen, but prior to the recent announcement of the end to London’s six-year tenure with the Wahoos, he seemed sure about his future.

“I believe I made the right decision and I think it is a good football fit for me,” Christian said.

Already with a bigger frame than the rest of the family, he says he has been in communication with the coaching staff about gaining weight and potentially transitioning to defensive tackle.

“I definitely want to improve on my strength and my speed going to the next level,” Christian said, “and my hand techniques getting off blocks.”

Caleb still hopes to join his older brother, whether that is in an orange and blue uniform or otherwise. The Hoos remain his only offer at this point, and Christian’s presence would be an attractive force.

“It’s definitely one of my favorite parts about playing football, getting to play with my brothers, and we all play line so lining up next to each other, it’s very bonding,” Caleb said.

The middle brother also has interest from Charlotte, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Rutgers.

The baby of the family, Gabe, already has his sights set on a family reunion in the next phase of their journeys, whether as teammate or foes.

“I’m looking forward to facing off at the college level,” Gabe said.


 

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