Texas Football: 4 pleasant surprises for Longhorns from first half

Jonathon Brooks, RB

The team MVP for the first half of the regular season for the Longhorns either belongs to Sweat or standout redshirt sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks. If you’re just including Big 12 play, the team MVP honors for the first half of the regular season definitely belongs to Brooks.

Brooks is on fire in the last four or five games for the Longhorns. He’s rushed for at least 100 yards and over 5.5 yards per carry in each of the last four games.

Thanks to his insane output in the last four games, Brooks heads into the bye week leading the Power Five in rushing yards (722), total yards from scrimmage (847), and missed tackles forced (37). He also ranks in the top three among Power Five running backs in yards after contact (460) and rushing grade.

Brooks has emerged as that big-time running back who can shoulder the load for Texas’ offense. He’s helped the Texas faithful forget the losses of junior running back Bijan Robinson and senior Roschon Johnson a little bit faster.

But Brooks is getting the job done in more ways than one this season. He’s contributing in the ground game and the receiving game, putting up over 120 receiving yards on 10 catches, with one touchdown catch this season.

After his insane start to the season, Brooks ranks among the top three running backs in the post-Week 6 odds for the Doak Walker Award and among the top 30 favorites for the Heisman Trophy (per Draftkings Sportsbook).