Texas running back Jonathon Brooks declares for 2024 NFL Draft

The Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks might have missed the conclusion of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL, but he is not letting that stop him from what is next in his career. On Thursday, Brooks decided to enter his name into the 2024 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Brooks is forgoing his final two years of college eligibility to declare for the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-tall redshirt sophomore running back was the featured back for the Longhorns this season, after both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson were drafted in 2023. Brooks was impressive as the Longhorns’ primary option out of the backfield, putting up strong numbers in the 11 games he played in. Brooks finished the year with 187 carries for 1139 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry with 10 rushing touchdowns. He also had 25 receptions for 286 yards and one receiving touchdown. Before tearing his ACL in the second half of Texas’s 29-26 win over TCU, Brooks was on pace to finish this year with over 1,600 all-purpose yards.

The former four-star recruit out of the 2021 recruiting class might not be taking as big of a risk as some assume by declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. Currently, ESPN’s top draft expert, Mel Kiper Jr., has Brooks rated as his top running back prospect in this year’s class ahead of other notable talented running backs like Florida State Trey Benson and Michigan Heisman Trophy candidate Blake Corum.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.