AUSTIN, Texas — Dalton Brooks is everywhere for his Shiner football team.

He's dynamic with the ball in his hands on the Comanches offense. On the other side of the ball, he's a ball-hawking defensive back. He returns punts and kicks on special teams, too. But none of those things are his favorite thing to do on the field.

"I like to come down and hit every play," Brooks said. “It's a physical mentality. I just love to come out here and play every night.”

Brooks is one of the top high school players in Texas in the Class of 2023. The 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pounder is listed as an athlete on both 24-7 Sports and Rivals recruiting websites. He said he's happy to play any position, just like he does at Shiner.

"I just come out and go get it every time," Brooks said. "If it's on defense, go make a big hit. If it's on offense, score a touchdown. If it's punt return, kick return, kickoff, it’s go do it the best I can, and try to help the team in any way I can.”

The junior has offers from over 20 programs, with perennial title contenders like Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia, along with in-state schools like Texas and Texas A&M. 

“To hear the voice of Nick Saban was one of the craziest things," Brooks said of receiving the Alabama scholarship offer. "When he answered the phone, me and my coach sat there and we listened and talked to him. After we got off the phone, we were just in awe, just to converse with people like that is just a dream come true.”

One thing that could factor into his recruitment is where his older brother decides to play in college. Doug Brooks, a senior at Shiner, currently has four scholarship offers.

"We live in the same house, so we talk about it on a nightly basis," Dalton said. "If we get that opportunity, we're going to try to go to the same school. He makes sure I'm doing the right thing every day and he makes sure I'm not doing anything to jeopardize me or my family or my career.”

For now, the Brooks brothers are focused on a repeat championship. 

Shiner advanced to the Class 2A, Division 1 semifinals with a 55-14 win over Refugio, behind Dalton's 384-yard, six-touchdown rushing performance. 

“Everybody wants to be the team to beat Shiner," Brooks said. "We got to be able to stand up for that." 

And stand up for everyone who's standing behind them in Shiner.

“The things you can accomplish in a little town," said Brooks about playing for the Comanches. "People didn't think it would be somebody like me doing the things I’m doing. To come out and have people know who you are. It's a nice feeling.”