Jonathon Brooks, halfway through a standout season, has his high school jersey number retired during the bye week
During his varsity career for the Hallettsville Brahmas, Texas running back Jonathon Brooks rushed 628 times for 6497 yards and 109 touchdowns while adding 1044 receiving yards and four scores. His senior season alone saw him tally 3530 yards and 62 touchdowns, helping Hallettsville to the UIL 3A Division I state finals and earning 2020 Mr. Texas Football honors.
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Likely one of the top players to ever suit up for the Brahmas, Brooks was honored during Texas’ bye week by his alma mater with the retirement of his No. 25 jersey during Hallettsville’s 43-0 win over Hempstead.
“It was pretty amazing, just the level of support that they continue to show just knowing that Hallettsville will always be home,” Brooks said Monday.
Jonathon isn’t the only Brooks to have worn No. 25. His older brother, Jordan, also donned the digits. The fact that his family’s name would be enshrined at his high school meant a lot to the star running back.
“Just seeing the joy on my family’s face and all my friends, everybody who just came out and supported,” Brooks said. “It made it even better that they got the win on that night. I think it was just a pretty special night.”
The Brahmas also received advice from Brooks ahead of their lobsided victory.
“I just kind of told them just keep going and anything is possible,” Brooks said. “I came from the same school and I made it to college. Anything and everything they want is still in front of them.”
Brooks would not have made it to Texas without the influence of his father, Skip, who unfortunately passed away in March of 2022. After every one of his touchdowns, Brooks taps a tattoo on his forearm with the date of his dad’s passing in order to honor him.
From Hallettsville to Austin, Brooks has carried lessons given to him by his father, including during his standout 2023 campaign.
“Just the level-headedness that my dad taught me whenever he was around, him making sure I was never getting too big headed, just always humble and making sure I’m doing what I need to do before I try to correct others,” Brooks said.
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He’s followed that advice to a T in 2023. Brooks has rushed for 726 yards this season, good for ninth in the FBS and fifth among Power 5 rushers. He’s added six rushing touchdowns and a receiving score, and has rushed for 100 yards in each of the Longhorns’ last four games. His top performance was a 21-carry, 218-yard, two-touchdown day versus Kansas as part of a 40-14 win.
“I think one thing that JB is doing is he’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said following the Longhorns’ win over the Jayhawks. “I think he’s a very patient runner. He’s always had natural running ability, and now as he’s finding opportunities in the open field he’s making safeties miss. When you can do that at running back, when you block things right and you trust the run, then you can make that last layer of defense miss, you can create explosive runs.”
The way he played at Hallettsville and how he’s performing at Texas would not have come to be if it weren’t for lasting advice from his father.
“Knowing to never lack confidence and always believe in yourself,” Brooks said. “Know what I’m capable of but always be humble enough to know that you’re not the best in the arena. Having that mentality but not being boastful about it.”
As a result of Brooks’ actions stemming from that wisdom, no Brahma will ever wear No. 25 again on the football field.
“It’s huge, just knowing that me and my brother wore the number, for me to be able to do it for him and my family, knowing my name and number will leave a legacy at the high school,” Brooks said.
