24 days until Texas Football: Jonathon Brooks vying to be RB1; Warren Roberson showcasing athleticism early
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s time-honored countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is 24 days until kickoff. No. 24 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by Jonathon Brooks, a sophomore running back, and Warren Roberson, a highly touted true freshman defensive back.
Jonathon Brooks season outlook
Last season, the Texas run game belonged to Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. Remaining opportunities fell to Brooks, who took advantage of his chances, notably against Kansas.
When Robinson and Johnson elected not to play in the bowl game, Brooks had his first opportunity to reach for the starting role in 2023. However his carries, though effective, were limited versus Washington. He didn’t participate in spring drills in order to address a sports hernia and prepare for the 2023 season.
So far in camp, Brooks has stepped right into the RB1 role and is putting together what’s currently the strongest case to be the starter come September 2. With his good patience, vision, and quickness, Brooks has the needed attributes to do well in zone or gap schemes.
The overall talent level of the room might eat into his workload some. But until anyone develops and becomes a more advanced player than the third year back from Hallettsville, Brooks is going to be the one toting the rock regularly for the Longhorns.
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Brooks has played in 11 games in his first two seasons on the 40 Acres, amassing 340 yards and six touchdowns on 51 carries and 49 yards and a score on just three career receptions.
Brooks is a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (fall 2021, fall 2022).
Jonathon Brooks as a recruit
Brooks was ranked as the No. 296 overall prospect, the No. 21 running back, and the No. 45 player in Texas in the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking., a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
Warren Roberson’s season outlook
Roberson has seen action with the cornerbacks so far in camp, and could even factor at Star down the line thanks to the athletic ability he’s shown in practice up to the current juncture. Thus far, he’s competing with fellow first-years like Malik Muhammad and second-year players like Xavion Brice and Austin Jordan for time. He could zoom up the depth chart with a strong camp but he’s more likely to see snaps on special teams than on conventional downs, though those are an option this season.
Warren Roberson as a recruit
Roberson was ranked as the No. 273 overall prospect, the No. 19 safety, and the No. 51 player in Texas in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking.
Recent player to wear No. 24: Joe Bergeron
Bergeron saw action in 37 career games with seven starts in his three years at Texas, racking up 1,392 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing and 200 yards receiving. He had five career 100-yard rushing games and his 16 rushing touchdowns in 2012 ranked second in the Big 12 and were tied for 15th in FBS.
All-Americans to wear No. 24
Tommy Ford, RB, 1963
Raymond Clayborn, DB, 1976
Joe Cook co-authored this article
