Khamari Brooks

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-3, 245 lbs. Taller than 21% and heavier than 73% of 2026 Edge Rusher prospects in the SEC Scouts database (169 with a listed size).

Play Style

Brooks plays a stand-up edge role with a well-rounded game rather than a speed-only one. On film he wins at the snap with a quick first step, gets his hands on the tackle first thanks to his length, and flattens toward the quarterback using his knee bend. When a tackle oversets for the speed rush, he converts speed to power through the chest. Against the run he stays square, sets the edge and plays off blocks with his hands instead of running around them. His tight-end background shows in his comfort dropping into space and his ability to finish on the ball when a pass comes his way. He also plays under control and with the awareness of a multi-sport athlete, sniffing out screens and misdirection rather than rushing blindly upfield.

Strengths

• Quick off the snap from a two-point stance: 247Sports' Hudson Standish calls him a 'well-rounded pass-rusher who can win with speed and power,' with the first step and knee bend to beat tackles off the snap. His junior year backs it up: 13 sacks, 17 TFL and 24 QB hurries.
• Heavy hands and knockback power for his size: he can speed-rush wide or turn speed into power through the tackle's chest, and he sets a firm edge against the run instead of getting washed inside.
• Coverage ability that most edge prospects lack: his tight-end hands and fluid hips make him a real option to drop into the flat or hook zones, which fits the multi-role Jack/outside linebacker spot in Georgia's scheme.
• Proven production and big-game play: 131 tackles as a junior (some outlets list 113) and 8 tackles, 2.5 TFL and a sack in the 4A state title game, where he also had 52 receiving yards and a touchdown. Before his senior-year injury he had 43 tackles, 5 TFL and 4 sacks through 5 games of a 7-0 start.
• High football IQ: David Pollack called him 'one of the most brilliant people' he has come across, citing instincts and composure that have been visible since youth football. That usually means a faster learning curve in a complex defense.

Areas to Improve

• Size and play strength at the point of attack: at 220 to 238 pounds he needs to add good weight, probably into the 245 to 250 range, to hold up against SEC offensive tackles on run downs. The lost senior season and hip rehab also cost him strength-training time.
• More pass-rush moves: in high school he won mostly with his first step and power. He needs a reliable counter move and a plan for when his first move stalls, since college tackles with longer arms will take away the speed rush.
• Seeing more snaps: he split time between tight end and defense and missed half his senior year, so he has fewer full-time defensive reps than a typical top-150 edge. Recognizing run and pass reads, and blocking schemes, will need the most seasoning.
• Staying healthy: recovering from the hip fracture and staying on the field is the first priority for his development.

College Projection

He projects as a Jack/outside linebacker in Georgia's 3-4 base with rush-and-drop duties. Entering Week 1 of 2026 he was third string at OLB, behind junior starter Quintavius Johnson and second-teamers Chase Linton (redshirt freshman) and PJ Dean (freshman). Year 1 (2026) is likely special teams plus snaps in blowouts, with a redshirt a reasonable outcome given the hip rehab. Year 2 should bring a situational pass-rush role in the rotation as he fills out. By Year 3 (2028) he should be competing for a starting spot, with his coverage ability giving him an edge over pure rushers in the rotation.

NFL Outlook

He has Day 2 draft upside. His length, bend and speed-to-power rush, plus a real ability to drop into coverage, match what NFL teams want in a 3-4 outside linebacker. His rankings (247 Composite around #112 to #142 nationally and #14 to #17 among edge players, depending on the cycle) put him a tier below instant-impact prospects, so his draft stock depends on adding 15 to 20 pounds of good weight, building a counter move, and a clean medical history after the hip. If he develops into a double-digit-sack starter at Georgia in 2028–29, early Day 2 is realistic. If he stays a rotational player, he projects as a Day 3 hybrid linebacker and special-teams contributor.

Best Fit

A multi-front 3-4 or hybrid defense that uses a stand-up Jack or outside linebacker to rush, set the edge and drop into coverage. Georgia is almost an ideal fit because its defense values versatile edge players who can cover, and it has a proven strength program to build up long, lean frames. He is also a strong fit for zone-pressure or simulated-pressure schemes that disguise who is rushing and who is dropping, where his ball skills and football IQ matter more than raw bulk.