Ahmad Brooks

Ahmad Brooks (born March 14, 1984) is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Supplemental Draft. He played college football at Virginia.

Early years and personal
Brooks attended C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, which he helped lead to two VHSL state championships during his three-year tenure (1999–2001). Brooks battled injuries throughout his high school career, but he had a very productive year in 2001—he had 207 tackles (144 solos), including 34 for loss, and he also rushed for 848 yards and 10 TDs while averaging 12.6 yards per carry. The semifinal loss to Thomas Dale High School of Chester, VA in 2001 was the only Hylton loss in three years in which he played. He was named as USA Today’s National Defensive Player of the year after the 2001 season. He participated in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl game. In 2002 he played at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia.

His dad, a former Washington Redskins defensive tackle Perry Brooks, died in March 2010.

College career
Following high school, Brooks spent one year at a military post-graduate school before enrolling at Virginia in the fall of 2003, where he majored in Sociology. He earned a starting position as a freshman and finished the year with a career-high and team-leading 117 tackles. He also had four sacks, six passes defensed, 10 tackles-for-loss and 15 QB pressures. He had a career-high 12 tackles vs. Pittsburgh in the Continental Tire Bowl, including a key stop early in the contest to complete a goal-line stand.

During his sophomore year at the University of Virginia he was one of three Butkus Award finalists, which goes to the best linebacker in the country. He played in 12 games, earning All-America honors after totaling a team-leading 90 tackles, with eight sacks, two INTs, 11 QB pressures and 10 tackles-for-loss. Earned Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against the Maryland Terrapins.

He played in six games as a junior, with 27 tackles (10 solo), including one sack, plus four passes defensed and five QB pressures. He missed games 1-3 while rehabbing from knee surgery performed following his sophomore campaign. He missed other games due to various injuries throughout the 2005 season. He was involved in several off-field problems and was eventually dismissed from the team following the season.

Cincinnati Bengals
Brooks entered the NFL Supplemental Draft following his junior season at Virginia and was selected by the Bengals in the third round on July 13, 2006. He made his NFL debut September 24 at Pittsburgh (no statistics). As a rookie, he played in 11 contests (Games 3-9, 11-12, and 16), with starts at Middle Linebacker in Games 5-9. He had 46 tackles, with one sack, 2 passes defended, and one special teams tackle.

In the 2007 season opener on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, Brooks was the starter. Brooks ended the game with six tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. In the first series of the game against the Cleveland Browns in week 2, Brooks tore his groin muscle, which ended his season. He was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2007.

Brooks was waived by the Bengals on August 30, 2008 during final cuts.

San Francisco 49ers
On August 31, 2008, Brooks was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers. The team released linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to make room for Brooks. The 49ers waived Brooks on November 29 to make room for wide receiver Chris Hannon, but re-signed Brooks on December 2 after Hannon was waived.

On December 2, 2009, San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary mentioned that Brooks would be used increasingly during pass rushing situations. In week 14, Brooks recorded single-game career-highs of 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the Arizona Cardinals.

Brooks recorded career highs in both tackles (50) and sacks (7) during the 2011 Regular Season.

On February 28, 2012, Brooks signed a six-year contract extension worth $44.5 million, with $17.5 million guaranteed.