Sad news for Texas Longhorns: He we not return

Texas’ Jonathon Brooks is out for the season with a knee injury; RB1 in NFL Draft 2024

The Texas Longhorns received awful news Sunday about standout running back Jonathan Brooks.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Brooks had a ruptured right ACL in the Longhorns’ 29-26 victory over TCU on Saturday, ultimately ending his season.

Brooks was projected as the top running back in the 2024 NFL Draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper, but a return to the collegiate ranks for the 2024 season may be the next step for Brooks as he recovers from his injury.

Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian expressed sadness over the development, but stated that the tailback will remain an essential member of the team while he recovers.

“We’re heartbroken for Jonathon,” Sarkisian remarked. “He was having an excellent season and leaves a vacuum that must be filled. But we know he will continue to be a vital leader on our team, assisting us as we progress in our mission this season.”

He also stated that he is optimistic Brooks would recover quickly and that the program will help him throughout the process.

“I know he’ll work extremely hard in his recovery, get back to full speed as soon as he can, and we will be there by his side supporting him through all of that,” Sarkisian said in a statement.

Brooks took over the Longhorns’ starting position after 2022 Doak Walker champion Bijan Robinson went for the NFL, and he was a crucial contributor to the team’s good start to the season. In 2023, Brooks carried for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries, while also throwing for 286 yards and one score.

The Longhorns will have to replace his production for the rest of the season, which is a big assignment for a club with College Football Playoff aspirations, but his return to college also means that the running back class in 2024 has gotten a little weaker.