Since Steve Sarkisian took over the Texas Longhorns, the running back room has undeniably been one of the best in the country, returning the program to the RBU conversation where it belongs.
Most recently, that included landing a commitment from four-star prospect Landen Williams-Callis.
Yet, already in the Texas running back room stand stars like Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, who transferred to play for the Longhorns this offseason.
However, Williams-Callis, Smothers, and Brown aren't the only big-name running backs who will wear burnt orange over the next few years. One current Longhorn is set to be an undeniable star, and he is getting nowhere near enough attention.
Now, even this very site has put the spotlight on Smothers and Brown, but as fall camp has unfolded, redshirt freshman Michael Terry III has been a shining light in the backfield.
Michael Terry III's starpower is already starting to show
Taking just one carry last year, Terry utilized his redshirt season, but he was a four-star prospect just two years ago when he was being recruited as an offensive star, playing both wide receiver and running back in high school.
Since then, he has packed on more than 15 pounds and is looking more and more the part of a running back at the University of Texas than ever before.
In a night scrimmage this week, Terry even broke through the stout Longhorn defense to find the end zone with backup offensive linemen Jaydon Chatman and Dylan Sikorski leading the way. That is the exact thing you want to see out of the heir apparent to your legacy-building running back room.
RB Michael Terry III finding the end zone last night in practice.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) August 12, 2026
That’s Jaydon Chatman (75) and Dylan Sikorski (56) leading the way.
More intel on Terry III after practice last night: OTF: https://t.co/MONPciYwZh pic.twitter.com/HMSPh16lLn
However, Terry isn't the only projected backup running back on Texas's current depth chart, with true freshman Derrek Cooper and fellow redshirt freshman James Simon also vying for snaps this season.
While Terry only saw his single rep in the Longhorns' postseason game against the Michigan Wolverines, Simon earned 29 carries for 122 yards last season.
Yet, even with all eyes on Smothers and Brown, and even with the amount of depth at the position, there should undeniably be more noise around Terry's future with the program.
Read more: Projecting Texas football's 2026 depth chart before the start of fall camp
More likely than not, Smothers and Brown will likely head to the NFL Draft after this season, both coming to Texas with at least three years of experience to their name. That not only creates room for an RB1 to step up to the plate, but also an RB2.
Well, in slides Terry and, most likely, Cooper, with to-be-freshman Williams-Callis splitting RB3 reps with Simon, and the RB4 role going to Simon and Williams-Callis' classmate Noah Roberts, another four-star running back prospect.
Predicting Texas's running backs depth chart 2027
Confusing? Let me make it a little more simplified.
- Starter: Michael Terry III
- Backup(s): Derrek Cooper, Landen Williams-Callis
- Depth: James Simon, Noah Roberts
As of now, unless Brown and Smothers return for a surprise final season of college football, Terry will be RB1. Then, Derrek Cooper and Landen Williams-Callis will likely be the first round of backups. Last but not least, James Simon and Noah Roberts will be the third-stringers.
To sum all of that up, the Longhorns' running backs room is going to continue to be one of the strongest in the country, and Sarkisian only continues to solidify that fact on the recruiting trail.
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