Another Longhorns star player talks decision to enter NFL Draft
Texas Longhorns RB Jonathon Brooks Discusses Decision to Enter the NFL Draft: ‘God Forbid’
Despite suffering a season-ending ACL tear in mid-November, Jonathon Brooks helped the Texas Longhorns win the Big 12 and make the College Football Playoffs after playing like one of the country’s best running backs through the first ten games of the season.
After the season, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after a junior year in which he rushed 187 times for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 286 yards and another touchdown. Brooks received Second-Team All-Big 12 honors as a result.
His play was so impressive that the long-term concern of his injury hardly impacted his value in the eyes of draft experts, with many still considering him the best running back in this year’s class.
During an appearance on the Behind The Facemask podcast with former Longhorns standout Alex Okafor, Brooks discussed his decision to declare for the draft and how the fear of another injury influenced it.
“Suppose I return to Texas and, God forbid, I sustain an injury that ends my season or career. “I don’t go to the league at all, and all of my dreams and aspirations have vanished in my mind,” Brooks said.
When he continued to receive positive draft feedback despite the ACL tear, the decision became easier.
“Coming off an injury, I’m still getting better reports than I imagined when the day (the injury) happened,” Brooks told the media. “… It’s satisfying knowing that in a couple of months I’ll be able to change my life and my family’s life.”
While Texas fans hate to see Brooks go, the opportunity to become a millionaire this upcoming summer all before turning 21 is a chance he can’t pass up.
Regardless of where Brooks gets drafted, he’ll become another Longhorns running back to enter the NFL and will add to Texas’ claim as being the true “RBU.”
The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25 in Detroit.