Brooks played high school football for the Bartlett Yancey High School Buccaneers. He recorded 331 total tackles for the Buccaneers. He was a three-year all-region, all-conference, and defensive MVP selection. Brooks earned all-state honors as team captain his senior year after accumulating 94 tackles and 12.5 sacks. He represented North Carolina in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game. He was named the Danville Regional Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2008. Brooks also earned a varsity letter in track and field.
College career
Brooks played in 43 games for the East Carolina Pirates from 2009 to 2012, recording 52 solo tackles and ten sacks. He also earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors.
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Brooks was signed by the Detroit Lions on May 2, 2013. He was released by the Lions on May 28, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks claimed Brooks off waivers from the Detroit Lions on May 29, 2013. He was released by the Seahawks on August 31, 2013 and re-signed on September 2, 2013. He was released by the Seahawks on September 11, 2013 and signed to their practice squad on September 12, 2013. Brooks was signed to the active roster on November 9, 2013. He appeared in a game against the Atlanta Falcons on November 10, recording a tackle. He was released on November 11. Brooks was re-signed to the practice squad on December 19, 2013. Brooks was signed to a futures contract on February 5, 2014. The Seahawks later won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos. The Seahawks waived/injured Brooks on August 26, 2014. He was released by the Seahawks on September 1, 2014.
BC Lions
Brooks signed with the BC Lions on April 30, 2015. In two seasons with the Lions Brooks appeared in 28 games, accumulating 62 tackles and 4 quarterback sacks. He was named a CFL West All-Star for the 2015 season. Brooks will become a free-agent in February 2017. On December 6, 2016, Brooks had a workout with the Minnesota Vikings. On December 14, 2016, he had a workout with the New England Patriots. In February 2017, it was announced that Brooks has re-signed with the BC Lions for two more seasons, through 2018. In 2017 Brooks played in 15 games and contributed with 21 tackles and one quarterback sack. On May 18, 2018 Brooks was released by the Lions after they were unable to find another team willing to trade for him.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On June 24, 2018 Brooks signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Brooks played in 11 games for the Riders in 2018, contributing 15 tackles. He suffered a season ending ankle injury in Week 18 of the season.
Edmonton Eskimos
Brooks signed with the Edmonton Eskimos on March 19, 2019. He was released by the club on May 20, 2019.
