On Sunday, Texas Longhorns running back Jonathan Brooks’s status was not good.
According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Brooks’ season is essentially over after he tore his right ACL during the Longhorns’ 29-26 victory over TCU on Saturday.
Mel Kiper of ESPN projected Brooks as the number one running back for the 2024 NFL Draft. However, as he recovers from the injury, Brooks may now decide to return to the collegiate ranks for the 2024 season.
Although disappointed by the news, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian stated that the tailback will continue to play a significant role in the team’s recovery.
“We feel so much sadness for Jonathan,” a statement from Sarkisian read. “He leaves a void that needs to be filled; he was having an incredible season. However, we are confident that he will remain a vital team leader, assisting us in getting ready as we advance in our mission this season.”
Additionally, he expressed his extreme confidence that Brooks will be able to recover quickly and that the program will help him every step of the way.
“We’ll be by his side, supporting him through it all, and I know he’ll work incredibly hard in his recuperation to get back to full speed as soon as he can,” Sarkisian remarked.
After 2022 Doak Walker winner Bijan Robinson left for the NFL, Brooks took over as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. Brooks played a major part in the team’s explosive opening to the season. In 2023, Brooks gained 286 yards and a touchdown through passing in addition to running for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries.
A return to college also means that the running back class in 2024 just got a little thinner. The Longhorns will need to replace his production for the remainder of the season, which is a difficult task for a team with College Football Playoff hopes.
