In the high-stakes world of college football, where five-star recruits and blue-chip prospects dominate headlines, Will Brooks represents a different narrative—one defined by persistence, patience, and unwavering determination. His story isn’t about overnight success but about the slow, steady climb from anonymity to achievement.
Walking On and Working Up
When Brooks first stepped onto Tennessee’s campus as a walk-on in 2020, he was just another name on a crowded roster. The 6’1″, 200-pound player from Vestavia Hills, Alabama brought solid attributes but nothing that screamed future NFL talent. Like many walk-ons, his initial contributions came on special teams—football’s proving ground for those hungry to earn their spot.
Under then-head coach Jeremy Pruitt, Brooks didn’t see game action during his true freshman season. For many, this might have signaled the end of the road, but for Brooks, it was merely the beginning of a five-year journey that would defy expectations.
The Gradual Ascent
Brooks’ development followed a methodical progression that exemplifies the rewards of patience in modern college athletics. By 2022, his dedication had earned him playing time in all 13 games, primarily on special teams. The following season saw him make his first defensive start at the STAR position against Vanderbilt.
The culmination came during his redshirt senior season in 2024, when Brooks secured a starting safety role and held it throughout all 13 games. His statistical impact—59 tackles, nine passes defended, and four interceptions—ranked him second on the team in tackles and transformed him from anonymous walk-on to defensive standout.
Moments That Matter
While consistent performance established Brooks’ value, two specific plays etched his name into Tennessee football lore. First came a momentum-shifting pick-six against North Carolina State that showcased his playmaking ability on a crucial stage.
Even more significant was his game-sealing interception against arch-rival Alabama, picking off quarterback Jalen Milroe in the fourth quarter to secure a victory that sent Neyland Stadium into euphoria. In that moment, the former walk-on became forever part of the storied Tennessee-Alabama rivalry.
From Undrafted to Opportunity
Despite his productive collegiate finale, Brooks went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet consistent with his journey, this setback proved temporary when the Kansas City Chiefs—recent multiple Super Bowl champions—signed him as an undrafted free agent.
This opportunity not only continues Brooks’ football career but reunites him with former Tennessee teammate Omarr Norman-Lott, who was drafted by the Chiefs in the second round. For Brooks, the signing represents another chance to prove himself from the bottom up, likely beginning again with special teams duties.
A Blueprint for Persistence
What makes Brooks’ story resonate beyond Tennessee’s fanbase is how it represents a blueprint for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable odds. In an era where instant gratification dominates our culture, his five-year transformation from walk-on to starter to NFL signee demonstrates the power of sustained effort.
For current walk-ons across college football, Brooks exemplifies the possibility that lies in embracing unglamorous roles, maximizing limited opportunities, and maintaining readiness for when bigger moments arrive. His journey validates the often-thankless work happening on practice fields away from the spotlight.
The Road Ahead
Brooks now faces his most significant challenge: earning a roster spot with one of the NFL’s premier organizations. The competition will be fierce, the margins razor-thin. But if his college trajectory offers any indication, counting out Will Brooks would be unwise.
His story reminds us that in athletics—as in life—success rarely follows a linear path. The road less traveled may be more difficult, but it builds a resilience that can’t be developed any other way. For every five-star recruit and high draft pick in professional sports, there will always be room for the Will Brooks of the world—those who transform themselves from afterthoughts to indispensable through sheer determination.
As Brooks begins his NFL journey, Tennessee fans will watch his progress with pride, knowing his legacy extends beyond statistics or highlight plays. In a sports landscape increasingly defined by transfer portals and immediate eligibility, his five-year commitment to gradual improvement offers a powerful counternarrative.
Will Brooks may have begun as just another walk-on, but he leaves behind an example worth following and a story worth telling—proof that persistence, when paired with opportunity, still pays off in remarkable ways.
