3 Texas football players that will be first-time starters in the Alamo Bowl

Jonathon Brooks, RB

One of the hot topics on the Forty Acres of late is the rise of redshirt freshman running back Jonathon Brooks. The former blue-chip recruit and second-year running back is making quite the impression on his teammates and the coaching staff in bowl practice thus far.

Texas needs Brooks to rise to the occasion since Sark and the Longhorns will be down the top two running backs in the Alamo Bowl. Bijan carried this offense on his back for much of the regular season, which he was rewarded by winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back.

Meanwhile, Roschon was a versatile threat out of the backfield too. Texas would oftentimes line up with 21 personnel pre-snap on offense. Those formations would often see Roschon accompany Bijan in the backfield.

Yet, if Texas is planning to run with some 21 personnel looks in the Alamo Bowl, it will now feature the likes of Brooks and redshirt junior running back Keilan Robinson. Brooks and Keilan will need to be two of the x-factors for the Longhorns if this team wants a shot at knocking off the Huskies this postseason.

Brooks was impressive during the regular season, going for at least five yards per carry in each game where he touched the ball at least once. The same could be said for his true freshman campaign last fall.

So far in bowl practice, Brooks is taking the first-team reps at running back. He should be the feature back for the Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl, with Keilan and freshman Jaydon Blue getting plenty of snaps out of the backfield too.