Eagles sign P Brooks

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed punter Durant Brooks to a two-year contract.

Originally a sixth round draft choice of Washington in 2008, Brooks (6-0, 204) played in the first six games for the Redskins in his rookie campaign, but was released on 10/21/08. He recorded a 39.6 gross punting average on 26 punts, with nine punts downed inside the 20-yard line and no touchbacks. He later signed to the Green Bay Packers practice quad on 12/13/08 and remained there for the balance of the year. Brooks spent the 2009 preseason with the Packers, but did not make the team.

A two-year letterman at Georgia Tech, Brooks was mentored by family friend and legendary punter Ray Guy, who lives in Thompson, GA. Brooks later won the Ray Guy Award as a senior in 2007, which is given annually to the best college punter in the nation. That year, he booted 65 punts for 2,929 yards (45.1 average), including 33 inside the 20-yard line and a long of 77 yards. Brooks averaged 45.3 yards per punt during his career, which was the highest career average in ACC history. He also set an NCAA record for most punts over 50 yards over a two-season span with 57.

The 24-year-old Brooks is a native of Gordon, GA and attended Tattnall Square Academy, where he played punter, wide receiver, tight end and safety.