Will Texas Longhorns Offensive Identity Change Without Jonathon Brooks?
AUSTIN, TX -- The Texas Longhorns lost arguably their best offensive player in their Saturday win vs. the TCU Horned Frogs when running back Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL in the second half.
The redshirt sophomore was in the midst of an incredible season for the Longhorns, sitting as a top contender for the Doak Walker Award, and arguably the top NFL Draft prospect at his position with 187 carries for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 25 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown.
“We’re heartbroken for Jonathon,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Sunday. “He was having a fantastic season and leaves a void that needs to be filled. But we know he will continue to be an invaluable leader on our team, helping us prepare as we move forward in our mission this season. 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.”
And as Sarkisian said, the void left by Brooks' absence will be massive. So how can the Longhorns replace the All-American candidate?
Or more importantly, will this change the way the Longhorns' offensive approach? Much like when the Longhorns were forced to turn to Maalik Murphy after the injury to Quinn Ewers, the answer there is likely not.
Sarkisian confirmed as much on Monday.
“Systematically, things will not change for us on that front," Sarkisian said. "We’ve got a lot of faith in those guys that they’re going to perform at a high level.”
The Longhorns are going to want to remain a team that controls the game in the trenches and on the ground and then utilizes the passing game based on their success there.
Whether or not Brooks is in the lineup will not change that. It will surely change its effectiveness, but the overall philosophy should stay the same.
Replacing the production of Brooks, on the other hand, presents a major challenge.
Texas running back CJ Baxter (4) takes a bow after scoring the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Longhorn's game against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium in Houston
Sara Diggins/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
One approach Sarkisian could take is running back by committee. The Longhorns already have a talented freshman in C.J. Baxter who was backing up Brooks, and being productive doing so, rushing 87 times for 390 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Jaydon Blue has also shown flashes and provides a lightning aspect to complement Baxter's more powerful running style. Meanwhile, Savion Red has also been effective, particularly in his wild cat role, and could see a few more carries out of a standard set.
Then of course, there is Keilan Robinson, who has a chance to be a homerun threat every time he touches the ball due to his speed.
That said, Baxter has shown the ability to be the bell cow this season. In fact, Baxter even won the job over Brooks in fall camp, and started the first two games of the season before getting injured, allowing Brooks the opportunity to slide into the spotlight.
And as the feature back, there is no reason to believe Baxter cannot continue to be a productive and featured piece of the Longhorns offense.
“He’s a really mature young man. In today’s society with young people who are five-star recruits coming out, it’s ‘all about me, me, me and how can I get this and how can I get that,'" Sarkisian said. "He was never that way. He was about opportunity, he was about style of offense and scheme.”
Obviously, the final decision will fall to Sarkisian, who takes his team on the road to Ames, to face the Iowa State Cyclones with the Big 12 Championship on the line.
The Cyclones currently rank 36th in the nation and No. 3 in the Big 12 in rush defense, giving up 124.7 yards per game.
Will Baxter be able to handle the load? Or will Sarkisian be forced to use a committee approach?
We will find out one way or the other Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.
