Weeki Wachee DT/NG Dean Brooks is someone that gets it. He carries 4.0+ GPA in AP classes and strives to be an atmospheric scientist one day, but forecasting the ceiling of this young man’s prospects feels about as high as the tops of one of those classic 3:00pm thunderstorm’s we get in July.

Last season, Brooks posted phenomenal numbers playing the 3-tech in Weeki’s 4-3 defense, racking up 82 tackles, (15 for losses) as well as a sack. He hurried the quarterback six times and even blocked an extra point attempt using his big 6-foot-3, 275-pound frame to swat the pigskin from its intended destination. This season, the Hornets will switch to a 3-4 and Brooks will move away from the 3-tech and over the center at the nose guard position.

The mission remains the same however for this young man who stacks and sheds very well, knows how to keep leverage by staying low, driving his legs and pushing the sled. Brooks is also an accomplished wrestler placing in the Top 10 in the state’s heavyweight division this past year. Something that will improve his hands and technique even more.

Here is Brooks answering a few questions regarding the Spring this far and the adjustments they’ve made:

Q:How are things going with the new defensive scheme?
A:”The whole defensive setup is all new, which, is actually going really well at the moment. They learn fast and are doing their job.”

Q:What are your personal goals alongside the team goals?
A:”I’m gonna try and get recruited and do my best, by my goal this season is to simply help the team do its best and try to achieve a winning season.”

Q:With the new scheme in place, what’s been the biggest adjustment, if any?
A:”My job stays the same (in the new scheme). My favorite part is hitting quarterbacks as well hunting down and hitting running backs.”