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Texas Football: 13 Wishlist Items for 2017

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; The University of Texas Longhorns mascot reacts on the sidelines during the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; The University of Texas Longhorns mascot reacts on the sidelines during the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns cheerleaders perform against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns cheerleaders perform against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

What do we want to see happen for the Texas football program in 2017?

Texas football is heading into the era of Tom Herman, who took over as the head coach in late November for Charlie Strong. Herman will have to turn around a team that has finished with a sub-.500 record in each of the past three seasons, something that will be a somewhat difficult task. The pieces are there for improvement, though.

With Herman’s first year still nine months away, there are plenty of things we want to see happen before we get there and even once we hit late August and early September. This is all a part of our wishlist for Texas as we hit the holiday season. What do we want to see happen in the upcoming year?

Our wishlist for 2017 includes 13 items. Who should take over as running back? How far can the football team next season?

Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) carries the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D’Onta Foreman (33) carries the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Have D’Onta Foreman Selected in the Top 20 of the NFL Draft

The running back class for the 2017 NFL Draft is going to have plenty of talent. It looks like LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey will make up the top end of it, with Florida State’s Dalvin Cook not far behind. However, in the middle of them may be D’Onta Foreman, who shined in 2016 with Texas as the Doak Walker Award winner.

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Foreman brings a powerful presence to the backfield. He can attack defensive lineman with his 238-pound frame, while also finding a way to burst through the hole with surprising speed. This led to him having a handful of 40-plus yard gains throughout the season.

With Fournette as the potential top running back taken, and Cook not being far behind, we may see Foreman as the third running back taken. If not, the middle of the first round would seem likely for him. This could always change with the fluctuating value of tailbacks in the NFL, but around the top 15-20 range would be best suited. This would see running back-needy teams like the Indianapolis Colts there to take him. The same goes for the Baltimore Ravens, who could look to pair someone with Terrance West in 2017.

Dark horse candidates could be the Houston Texans if they want someone to pair with Lamar Miller, who has struggled and dealt with injuries during the 2016 season. We recently looked at a handful of options for the Texas running back.

Foreman going in the top 20 would also go with how there may not be a draftable first round quarterback. Could teams want to turn to the running game instead of potentially reaching on a signal caller on Day 1 of the draft?

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