Jonathon Brooks, a redshirt sophomore running back, has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Brooks gained 1,139 yards on the ground in 10 games in 2023 before tearing his ACL against TCU. He scored 10 touchdowns and averaged more than six yards per carry.
Brooks’ decision was announced by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Thursday, and he issued a statement on social media this morning.
“My three years at this university have been an incredible journey, from 5-7 to making it to the CFP,” Brooks said in a statement. “On March 28, 2022, the day my father died, I questioned whether I still wanted to play football.” I felt like I’d lost a big part of myself, but then I realized everything we’d talked about since I was a kid was right in front of me, and I know you’d never let me go.”
Brooks now has the opportunity to honor his late father while playing in the NFL after a breakout season. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper currently ranks Brooks as the draft’s top running back. Brooks told ESPN that he expects to be fully recovered in time for training camp.
Brooks has the potential to follow in the footsteps of former Texas running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, thanks to his high draft projection. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Robinson was selected eighth overall, while Johnson was selected 115th.
Brooks had back-to-back 100-yard games before getting hurt. He had a season-high 218 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas after winning the starting spot after a strong performance against Alabama. He now has the opportunity to showcase his talent in the NFL.
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What Byron Murphy II said about the NFL Draft
Junior defensive tackle Byron Murphy II has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving a legacy as one of Texas’ best defensive tackles.
Murphy officially declared on January 4, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“I would like to thank Coach Sark for allowing me to be a part of his program and giving me the opportunity to showcase my skill set on the highest stages of college football,” Murphy wrote in an X.com post.
Murphy finished the 2023 season with 29 total tackles, eight and a half sacks, and was named first-team All-Big 12 and Big 12 defensive lineman of the year. To say the least, 2023 was a career year for the junior, who more than doubled his previous career stats per season in both sacks and tackles for loss.
Murphy is ranked 82nd in the upcoming draft by Pro Football Focus and eighth among all interior defensive linemen. Bruce Feldman ranked the junior 18th on the Athletic’s list of exceptional athletes in college football heading into the 2023 season.
Murphy and senior defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat have a chance to be the first pair of Texas defensive linemen selected in the NFL Draft since Roy Miller and Henry Melton were selected in rounds three and four in 2009.
