2022 Texas Longhorns Spring Football Preview: Running backs

Visions of Najee Harris danced in Longhorn fans’ heads when Steve Sarkisian was announced as Texas’ head coach in the winter of 2021. No longer would ideas like putting a talented player, maybe the most talented player on the roster, on a pitch count be the prevailing, top-down notion. Players like Bijan Robinson would get the ball early and often in order to set up opportunities in the passing game.

The idea was there, and for most of the season Robinson delivered. He recorded a 1000-yard season, scored 15 total touchdowns, and averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Roschon Johnson provided a steady and sometimes spectacular backup. But some of the limitations of the year-one offense, specifically offensive line, quarterback, and tight end, made life difficult for Robinson and the rest of the running back group during the course of Texas’ six-game losing streak.

And eventually, on a freak play during the Kansas loss Robinson dislocated his elbow, knocking him out for the rest of the year.

In the process of ending that losing streak, Johnson carried Texas to victory in the season finale versus Kansas State. He returns along with a healthy Robinson for spring practices. Keilan Robinson exhibited some home run hitting capability, but was used sporadically over the course of the season until Bijan’s injury. Promising true freshman Jonathon Brooks showed good feel and traits for the position in limited carries.

This was likely the most talented position on the team in 2021 and the same probably holds true for 2022. If the running backs can continue to provide their steady production, it should help other positions make the progress necessary for a major step up in effectiveness on offense across the board in 2022. 

Past previews: Wide receiver

2022 running backs

Departures: Gabe Watson (graduation), Daniel Young (graduation)

Returners: Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, Keilan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks

Newcomers: Jaydon Blue (early enrollee)

2021 Production

When healthy, Bijan Robinson was the focal point of the offense. He averaged over 20 touches per game, and tallied 1422 total yards in 10 games, rushing for 1127. He carried the Longhorns to victory versus TCU, and scampered for one of the most impressive runs made in the Cotton Bowl versus Oklahoma. After his elbow injury, he was sorely missed in the late stages of the Kansas game and the trip to West Virginia.

Johnson was a more than capable backup, turning in another consistent season. The aggressive runner ran tough game after game for 569 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He offered a heroic performance versus Kansas State, with his 32-touch, 189-total yard game accounting for around 30 percent of his 2022 touches and production.

Keilan Robinson functioned as the “change of pace” back, but his pace was often in park on the sideline. He had five touches in three games in the month of October, with one absence due to COVID. His best performance was a nine-carry, 111-yard game against West Virginia after Bijan’s injury.

Brooks had bright spots in blowout wins before Bijan’s injury forced him into action versus Kansas. He then had an injury of his own. He accounted for 21 carries for 143 yards and a score in four games.

Spring preview

With Texas’ emphasis on the run game and the talent available in the position group, exiting spring practices healthy should be priorities one, two, and three for Sarkisian and new running backs coach Tashard Choice. 

Now, that’s easier said than done, and quality practices require quality competition in every rep. Plus, you have to tackle in tackle football. But there are ways to limit the number of times Robinson, Robinson, and Johnson get taken down while still getting that trio quality reps.

For when the practices do take on a physical tone, opportunity exists for Brooks and Blue. Those two are the greenest of the bunch but showcased talent, whether at Texas, Hallettsville, or Klein Cain, that indicates they can be very successful in this offense and at this level.

Should the end-of-year performance from Johnson lead to more Wildcat sets for Texas? It isn’t something Sarkisian majors in, but a result like the one he saw versus K-State should allow him to consider adding it to his play-calling repertoire.

There may not be a position in better shape on the Forty Acres than the running back group. They of course require development and opportunity in practice to improve, but health should be the primary consideration in the 15 spring practices.

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