Longhorns Running Back Jonathon Brooks Expected To Declare For NFL Draft

The Texas Longhorns running back had a spectacular first year as the starting running back before going down with an injury against TCU.

The Texas Longhorns have been spoiled with their recent running back room, and on Thursday we learned that they will be sending a third running back in two years to the NFL.

According to a report by 247Sports, Jonathon Brooks is expected to forgo his final years of eligibility and take his talents to the NFL. The former four-star started the season as the backup to five-star freshman CJ Baxter, but took the job and never turned back, in what was his first season not buried behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson on the depth chart.

Prior to tearing his ACL against TCU, which was truly unfortunate considering the kind of impact he had on this offense, Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. He also added 25 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown.

Jonathon Brooks takes a carry against TCU  / © Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

While the decision was expected, Brooks didn't want to take away attention from his team during their preparation for the College Football Playoff.

“I don’t want to think about myself being we’re here in the playoff and my mind is focused squarely on doing whatever I can to help us win a championship, but being that I only have two weeks to decide, it’s kind of hard not to think about what’s next,” Brooks told the Sugar Bowl media. “The decision will come, when I’m not sure, I’m not leaning any way right now, because of how focused I am on this, I need to be where my feet are and that’s not in the NFL but with this team.”

While he did tear his ACL against TCU, Steve Sarkisian did make sure that Brooks was able to see the field in the Big 12 title game as he was on the field for the final play of the game that saw Arch Manning take a knee.

Texas Star WR Xavier Worthy Declares for NFL Draft

According to CBS Sports, Brooks ranks as the third running back prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft and the No. 97 player overall. He joins Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington as the first three players to declare for the draft.