Brooks, McCray named to pair of award watch lists

LUBBOCK, Texas – The Red Raider football team continues to be represented on various national award watch lists this preseason, having Tahj Brooks and Drae McCray named to a pair of watch lists on Thursday. Brooks was named a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy while McCray was among those named to the Hornung Award watch list.

The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement by the Wuerffel Foundation. The Paul Hornung Award is presented to the most versatile player in college football by the Louisville Sports Commission.

Brooks, previously tabbed this preseason to the Maxwell Award watch list, the Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team and Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, garnered attention for the Wuerffel Trophy by not only being one of college football’s elite players but for his achievements in the classroom and impact on the Lubbock community as well as in his hometown of Manor, Texas. Brooks has already earned an undergraduate degree in Sport Management and is currently pursuing a Sports Communication Graduate Certificate. He was named to the 2023 Fall Academic All-Big 12 First Team en route to earning his bachelor’s degree this past December. Brooks has been known for his visits to local children’s hospitals and participating in Habitat for Humanity projects as well as hosting youth football camps in the summer in his hometown. His leadership ability can also be directed toward Joey McGuire naming him one of five team captains for the 2024 team back on Jan. 24.

McCray meanwhile electrified the Red Raiders’ special teams unit in 2023, in addition to his impact at wide receiver, placing him as a perfect candidate for the Hornung Award going into 2024. McCray was dynamic with the ball in his hands last season, totaling 976 all-purpose yards, which ranked second on the team only behind Brooks. McCray ranked fifth in the FBS among Power-Five returners in kick return average (27.6) and had the most total returns of any FBS player ranked in the Top 10 at the end of the season. He ranked tied for third in the FBS for most kick returns of at least 30 yards (7) and 40 yards (3) and shared the FBS-high with three kick returns of at least 50 yards on the season. McCray caught 29 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns for the Red Raider offense last season and is poised to make an even greater impact on the offense his senior season in 2024.

TAHJTIME.COM
Texas Tech launched TahjTime.com, a promotional website for Red Raider senior running back Tahj Brooks for both national awards and to track his progress towards Byron Hanspard’s career rushing record during his final season. The website, which plays off Brooks’ popular celebration following each touchdown, debuted ahead of his appearance at Big 12 Media Days in Las Vegas. In addition to following Brooks’ progression up the record books, TahjTime.com will provide updated news and videos of Brooks each week during the 2024 season. TahjTime.com was developed by Texas Tech alongside its website provider, SideArm Sports.

ABOUT THE WUERFFEL TROPHY
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by an illustrious national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12.

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football’s premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

ABOUT THE HORNUNG AWARD
Now in its 15th season, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville, Ky., in March 2025.

NCFAA WATCH LISTS
The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week-plus period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates.

The following is the 2024 preseason watch list calendar:

For more information about the NCFAA and its college football awards, visit the redesigned NCFAA.org or follow on Twitter @NCFAA.

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Release Provided By Matt Burkholder Texas Tech Athletics