Ja’Corey Brooks has experienced a career revival since transferring to the Louisville Cardinals and is showing signs of why he was a top recruit out of high school. His deep-threat skills have terrorized defenses this year and could get him a role in the NFL Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report and film analysis on him.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Louisville WR Ja’Corey Brooks
Measurables:
- 6’3”
- 195 lbs
Player Background:
Ranked a five-star recruit by multiple sites, Ja’Corey Brooks committed to Alabama from Booker T. Washington HS. Part of a loaded 2021 class, he earned playing time early for the Crimson Tide in his freshman year. He caught 15 passes for 192 yards that season, reaching the endzone twice. He broke onto the scene in his sophomore year with almost 700 yards and eight scores. His strong performance in 2022 led to many scouts and NFL Draft media members pushing his stock.
Injuries and offensive scheme changes led to his worst collegiate campaign in 2023. Brooks could only make three grabs for 30 yards and one carry for just four yards. As expected by many, he entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal and ended up with the Louisville Cardinals. His totals through nine games have either tied or surpassed all of his previous career highs and has emerged as the team’s top target.
Accolades:
- Midseason Biletnikoff Award Watchlist (2024)
Strengths/Pros:
Sticking to what made Brooks a highly-touted high school recruit, he’s an absolute burner who can threaten big plays anytime. His speed can be among the best in the nation, and he can outrun most corners against which he goes. His vertical abilities are impressive and can change the landscape of a game in a single play. His aptness to take the top off a defense requires the opposition to account for him constantly.
Brooks is a smooth mover who can glide around the field and work past defenders with almost deceptive speed at lower intensities. He tucks and transitions from a receiver to a ball carrier fluidly and can accelerate through those movements. He’s very shifty after the catch, and his change of direction skills are solid. He also offers upside in the special teams game and can be a mainstay on a team from that alone.
Weaknesses/Cons:
To put it bluntly, Brooks struggles heavily when it comes to physicality. He gets redirected often in press-man coverage, gets outmuscled on one-on-one balls, and is an ineffective run blocker. These issues could become an even larger issue if his previous injury concerns follow him into the NFL too. The other main issue that’s loud on tape is simple consistency. He will look like a wildly different player from rep to rep; his hands are inconsistent and unpredictable, and his routes have varying levels of sharpness.
He needs to accelerate out of horizontal cuts better and slows down too soon on extended plays. Brooks’ comeback routes often drift too vertically and he shifts too far backward on his downfield releases. He needs to cut down the number of steps he takes at the top of routes and doesn’t recognize when and where to sit down against zone coverage.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Brooks’ ST potential should keep him in the NFL as long as he can make an impact, but things get muddy offensively. He will likely be contained to being a role player on an NFL offense and touch-and-go vertical playmaker. He’s far too incomplete to become a consistent piece and common target, but his speed and ball-tracking provide constant excitement. Brooks is the type of player who can enter an organization as a Day 3 pick and show up in big moments when defenses forget about him.
Prospect Grade:
- Early to Mid-5th Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. Miami
- 2024 vs. Clemson
Main Image: Jamie Rhodes – USA Today Sports
