Texas, thanks to Steve Sarkisian’s offensive philosophy, in line to continue to produce 1,000-yard running backs

With the (expected) news Thursday that Texas running back Jonathon Brooks will opt out of the remainder of his collegiate career and place his name for consideration for the NFL Draft in April, the Longhorns will begin the 2024 season without a returning 1,000-yard rusher for the second straight year.

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But there’s little reason to fret. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has been extremely proficient at producing backs that either run for at least 1,000 yards or amass more than that benchmark via a combination of rushing and receiving.

Brooks is the latest in a long line of such backs, racking up 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries and catching 25 passes for 286 yards and another score in 11 games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the Longhorns’ win at TCU.

He takes his considerable talent to the next level where Brooks is sure to shine as a dual-purpose threat out of the backfield. Brooks confirmed his decision to move on via social media channels on Friday.

“My three years at this university have been an amazing journey, from going 5-7 to making the CFP,” Brooks said in his post. “I just want to thank God for the opportunity he has blessed me with. I also want to thank my coaches over the past three years, friends and family for molding me into the man I am today.

“With that being said I will be doing what I feel is in the best interest for me and my family. I’m excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.”

The Longhorns’ cupboard is far from empty. When Brooks couldn’t go, in stepped freshman CJ Baxter and sophomore Jaydon Blue. The duo combined for 1,087 yards and eight TDs this season and hauled in 38 passes for 291 yards and another score.

Will those two runners will be the next in line to a series of successful backs coaches by Sarkisian? 

Since taking over as the primary play caller for USC in 2007, through his stints as coach at Washington and USC, as offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and 2018, as an offensive coordinator for Alabama and now as coach for the Longhorns, Sarkisian has produced at least one player to broach the 1,000-yard plateau in every year except 2008, when he had three players who finished with at least 600 combined yards.

2007 USC

• Chauncey Washington – 195 carries for 969 yards and 10 TDs. Had 59 receiving yards to give him 1,028 total yards from scrimmage

2008 – USC – No 1,000-yard rusher but 3 players with over 600 rushing yards

• Stafon Johnson – 138 carries for 705 yards and 9 TDs
• CJ Gable – 107 carries for 617 yards and 8 TDs
• Joe McKnight – 89 carries for 659 yards and 2 TDs, also had 21 receptions for 193 yards and 1 TDs

2009 – Washington

• Chris Polk – 226 carries for 1,113 yards and 5 TDs

2010 – Washington

• Chris Polk – 260 carries for 1,415 yards and 9 TDs

2011 – Washington

• Chris Polk – 293 carries for 1,488 yards and 12 TDs. Also had 31 receptions for 332 yards and 4 TDs for 1,820 scrimmage yards

2012 – Washington

• Bishop Sankey – 289 carries for 1,439 yards and 16 TDs.

2013 – Washington

• Bishop Sankey – 327 carries for 1,870 yards and 20 TDs. Tallied 2,174 total yards.

2014 – USC

• Javorius Allen – 276 carries for 1,489 yards and 11 TDs. Tallied 1,947 total yards.

2015 – USC (Fired after five games)

• Justin Davis – 169 carries for 902 yards and 7 TDs. Added 189 receiving yards for 1,091 total yards
• Ronald Jones – 153 carries for 987 yards and 8 TDs. Added 39 receiving yards and 1 TD for 1,026 total yards

2017 – Atlanta Falcons

• DeVonta Freeman – 196 carries for 865 yards and 7 TDs. 36 receptions for 317 yards and 1 TD, good for 1,182 total yards

2018 – Atlanta Falcons

• Tevin Coleman – 167 carries for 800 yards and 4 TDs, 32 receptions for 276 yards and 5 TDs. 1,076 total yards.

2019 – Alabama

• Najee Harris – 209 carries for 1,224 yards and 13 TDs

2020 – Alabama

• Najee Harris – 251 carries for 1,466 yards and 26 TDs

2021 – Texas

• Bijan Robinson – 195 carries for 1,127 yards and 11 TDs

2022 – Texas

• Bijan Robinson – 258 carries for 1,580 yards and 18 TDs

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2023 – Texas

• Jonathon Brooks – 187 carries for 1,139 yards and 10 TDs.