Steve Sarkisian calls Texas' running back room a 'key question mark'

Texas returns one of the more experienced offenses in the country. Quinn Ewers is back at quarterback, being protected by the same starting five offensive linemen from a year ago. Ja’Tavion Sanders returns at tight end while Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington hold it down at wide receiver.

But the one area Steve Sarkisian has to replenish is the running back production. Both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson are off to the NFL, already making impacts with the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears, respectively. It’s something Sarkisian calls a “key question mark” heading into fall camp.

“Well, that’s got to be one of the key question marks going into training camp, you know, of all the 10 starters coming back for us, the one that we know is Bijan and that running back position, and then we also lost Roschon Johnson, you know, a third-round pick at that spot,” Sarkisian said when making an appearance on The Herd.

Having the talent to replace Robinson and Johnson should not be too difficult for Sarkisian. There are plenty of capable bodies in the running back room. Position coach Tasahard Choice has been one of the best recruiters in the country.

Sarkisian thinks that Texas will need to answer what the rotation looks like. Even with all of the talent, the Longhorns will have to slip down who is getting touches at some point. Two, maybe three guys could have the ability coming out of fall practice.

“We’ve got a talented room,” Sarkisian said. “It’s not going to be about the ability you know whether it’s a Jonathon Brooks, Keilan Robinson, Cedric Baxter, Jaydon Blue, Tre Wisner, Savion Red, these guys are all talented players. It’s who gives us the best opportunity to have success offensively. Is it one of them? Is it two of them? Is it possibly three of them?

“That’s what we have to find out. And that if there’s anything that’s one of the best question marks come with going into training camp, but one that I think will feel really comfortable with coming out of training camp where we get an answer.”

Texas has over 2,000 yards of rushing to replace. More than that, Robinson was known to carry the offense at times when Ewers was struggling.

Not too many questions surround the Texas offense heading into camp. Sarkisian was up front and honest about his running back situation, though. It’s something he must figure out before the season opener on Sept. 2.