Jalen Brooks

Jalen Allen Brooks (born May 7, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina.

Early years and college career
Brooks was born on May 7, 2000, and grew up in Harrisburg, North Carolina. He attended Northwestern High School before transferring Hickory Ridge High School, recording 44 receptions for 771 yards with nine touchdowns as a senior. He committed to play college football at Division II Wingate. He also ran track at Wingate.

As a true freshman at Wingate in 2018, Brooks played 12 games and posted 17 receptions for 297 yards and four touchdowns. The following year, he started 11 of his 12 appearances, and tallied 751 receiving yards off 35 catches with six scores. He had 100-yard games against Virginia–Wise, Newberry and UNC Pembroke, while contributing to Wingate's 10–2 record and playoff berth. Brooks was named first-team All-South Atlantic Conference for his performance.

Brooks initially transferred to Tarleton State in 2020, but before the season started transferred again to South Carolina. He was denied eligibility until the fifth game of the season, and ended up playing six contests, four as a starter, while making 11 receptions for 100 yards. In 2021, Brooks started the first six games and recorded 14 catches for 181 yards with one score, before leaving the team for personal reasons.

Brooks returned to South Carolina prior to the 2022 season. He started all 12 games and registered 33 catches for 504 yards (both placing second on the team) with one touchdown, additionally posting four rushes for 51 yards and another score. He missed the Gator Bowl for an off-field issue and afterwards declared for the NFL draft.

Professional career
Brooks was one of five South Carolina players invited to the 2023 NFL Combine. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in seven games and had six receptions for 64 yards.