Texas Longhorns' Starting RB Decision is a Good Problem to Have

Both Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers are expected to play a big role in Texas’s offense after being added in the transfer portal.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian looks on prior to a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Big changes were made to the Texas Longhorns’ backfield in December and January. After a majority of the Longhorns’ running back rotation — including Tre Wisner, CJ Baxter, Christian Clark and Jerrick Gibson — left in the transfer portal, the team made its own moves.

A pair of all-conference running backs joined Texas’s rotation, creating a potentially dangerous 1-2 punch that has fans excited.

The Longhorns’ running game needed improvement and to get back to form, and both Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers are in the right place to contribute.

Texas Longhorns’ RB Duo Expected To Share the Work

North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Hollywood Smothers warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Brown committed to Texas on Jan. 8 after rushing for 1,141 yards and 6.1 yards per carry in 2025 for the Arizona State Wildcats. Shortly after, Smothers joined the team on Jan. 11. He flipped his commitment from Alabama after about a week and was a standout for the NC State Wolfpack.

While it came as a surprise that Texas added two high-end transfers to its running back room, it needed to add multiple capable bodies after losing so much talent. Brown shared with On3 that he was fine with the addition of Smothers.

The two could form one of the best running back duos in the country, much less the SEC, and there are high expectations for both players. According to Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods, a source said both Brown and Smothers will share the opportunities in the Longhorns' backfield.

“Each running back is taking turns as the lead, and they are essentially 1A and 1B,” a source told Richardson.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks into Sanford Stadium before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The additions of Brown and Smothers were a return-to-the-basics move for Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian. “We had an opportunity to get back to the style of players that fit what we were trying to do,” he said to the media on Feb. 23.

Sarkisian emphasized that both Brown and Smothers can run the plays they want to implement while also being dual-phase weapons on the ground and in the air.

“We have to get back to being the explosive offense that we’re accustomed to be, that those two guys fit,” Sarkisian said. “If you had told me in December or at the new year that we were going to bring in two first-team all-conference players, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, but it hit right, and those two guys have the right mentality.”

To have a truly great two-player backfield, three things must be in place: the right coaches/scheme, the right talent and the right mentality. Both players will need to be selfless, and Sarkisian said that the duo has been close since joining the team. He also said that both players could benefit from each other in the long run.

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Raleek Brown celebrates with offensive lineman Josh Atkins and wide receiver Malik McClain after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the fourth quarter at Mountain America Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Last season, Brown and Smothers combined for 2,080 rushing yards, 428 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns with Arizona State and NC State, respectively. Both backs are explosive and break tackles, which is what makes them the perfect fits for Sarkisian’s offense.

Brown led the Big 12 in missed tackles forced (55) and was second in rushes of 10+ yards (31) during the regular season. Similarly, Smothers ranked second (49) and third (24), respectively, in the ACC. Subverting the classic thunder-and-lightning trope, Texas’s duo could be lightning and more lightning.

With Jabbar Juluke in charge of the running back room and fresh talent that fits the mold, the Longhorns are returning to the basics this season. Brown and Smothers have the opportunity to become one of the premier backfields in the country and could be the straight-twin engine that powers the offense.

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