The Texas Longhorns' Running Back Revolution: Sarkisian's Bold Move
In the world of college football, where talent is fluid and loyalty fleeting, the Texas Longhorns' running back room underwent a dramatic transformation. But why did head coach Steve Sarkisian feel the need to rebuild a seemingly solid foundation? Let's unravel this intriguing story.
Back in the Peach Bowl Media Day, Tashard Choice, the former running backs coach, confidently declared his faith in the existing players. He believed in fostering trust and development within the team. However, the 2025 season brought whispers of potential, especially with Quintrevion Wisner's impressive performance, while also facing the possibility of losing Jaydon Blue to the NFL Draft.
Choice had his successes, nurturing talents like Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, and turning Jonathon Brooks into a rising star. Yet, concerns arose as Texas' running game faltered against top defenses in 2024, despite a strong offensive line. The team relied on CJ Baxter, Christian Clark, and Jerrick Gibson, but injuries and inconsistencies plagued them.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has drastically changed. Choice is now with the Detroit Lions, and Sarkisian has welcomed his second running backs coach since Choice's departure. The mass exodus included Wisner, Baxter, Clark, and Gibson, leaving a gaping hole in the running back position.
The 2025 season became a struggle, with Arch Manning's mechanical issues and the offensive line's woes. Injuries to Wisner and Baxter, coupled with Clark and Gibson's struggles, resulted in a running game crisis. Gibson's mid-season departure further exacerbated the situation.
Texas' running game statistics plummeted, ranking 78th nationally in runs over 10 yards. The need for speed and game-changing abilities became evident.
Enter Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers, the dynamic duo from Arizona State and NC State, respectively. Sarkisian's decision to bring them on board was a strategic move to revive the rushing game. These players offer versatility, explosiveness, and the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Brown's breakaway percentage at Arizona State was significantly higher than Wisner's, and he contributed 31 runs of 10-plus yards. Smothers, a former Oklahoma signee, showcased his own impressive breakaway percentage and added value as a receiver.
Sarkisian's initial pursuit of Jadan Baugh and Isaac Brown took an unexpected turn, but he managed to secure two all-conference running backs. Smothers, in particular, was convinced to flip from Alabama, not by NIL offers, but by the allure of winning at Texas.
The bond between Brown and Smothers has already become a talking point, with Sarkisian noting their closeness and the historical success of Texas' running back duos.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Sarkisian's decision to rebuild the running back room a risky move, or a necessary evolution? Will the new additions live up to the expectations and restore Texas' explosive offense? The jury is still out, and the comments section awaits your thoughts!
