Columbus East’s Jared Brooks, left, attempts to break a tackle by Bloomington South’s Mile McKay at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Jared Brooks is one of the most versatile players for the Columbus East football team this year.
Brooks has been instrumental in turning around the program following a very rough start. The Olympians face their toughest opponent since they went on a four-game winning streak when they host Class 5A No. 4 Bloomington North on Friday.
Brooks, a senior, is a two-way player for East. He is in his third year playing at tight end on offense and also is playing linebacker on defense this year.
“In the summer, (it was) the realization that this is my last year to really prove something and really do what I need to do,” Brooks said. “I started playing defense last year, so I made an emphasis to work on my defensive game over the offseason and continuing to better myself offensively, too. I think that the offseason and me using my time accordingly was a big part of that and making sure that I was the best that I could be for my senior year.”
Jared Brooks
Brooks also is a captain on the team.
“I’m very blessed to be looked at as that leadership guy and to be a big part of that role. I think a big part of that is with our team success, there’s high emotions. When we’re not doing well, there’s even higher emotions and just working with that,” he said. “Being there and trying to make everyone their best is just a big part of what I like to do and what I’ve working on. I take great honor and take that responsibility to heart and do my best to play that character.”
Brooks was introduced to football at 6 years old through PAAL, and his father Jason has helped him every step of the way. The elder Brooks currently is on the freshman coaching staff.
“He’s always wanted to be a part of it and has been a big part of my football career,” Jared said. “Whether it’s coaching me at PAAL, to be on the Central (Middle School) staff when I was at Central and now being on the freshman staff, he’s always wanted to be a part of that.”
Jared has been a big part of the Olympians’ turnaround. He leads the team with 52 tackles, including eight for losses, and has one interception, one fumble recovery and one sack.
On offense, he is second on the team with 12 catches for 161 yards and has one touchdown reception.
“He’s always been an extremely hard worker. I think he got a little taste of playing as a sophomore and then as a junior. He just cranked it up to the next level as far as his offseason,” East coach Eddie Vogel said. “He had a tremendous offseason in the weight room and did everything that we wanted him to do outside the limited contact periods. He broke the record for power clean, so he’s worked extremely hard this offseason to make himself the player that he is to be a two-way guy that we knew we needed him to be this year. I’m really proud of what he’s done.”
Brooks plans to play football in college and study business marketing.
“I know he’ll go on somewhere next year. Football will be part of his plans. I’m excited to see what the next couple months are for him as a football player at Columbus East,” Vogel said.
The Olympians are on a four-game winning streak after starting the year 0-2. East will take a break from the Hoosier Hills Conference Friday and host Bloomington North. The Olympians will be favored in their HHC games in the following two weeks to finish the regular season.
“We had to deal with a low morale those first two weeks going up against two good teams and suffering big losses. It hurts when all summer, you work for a goal, and it doesn’t seem like that goal is reachable to start,” Brooks said. “I think that win (in Week 3 against Seymour) was a big motivator for us because we woke up. We got to realize how good of a team we can be.”
