Texas football has rebuilt its running back room, and early spring practices suggest Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown is leading the race to start.
Texas football has spent the offseason trying to fix a rushing attack that never found its footing in 2025, and the early returns from spring suggest the Longhorns' running back competition may already have a frontrunner.
Right now, Raleek Brown appears to be the player setting the pace in a crowded and dramatically reshaped backfield.
After a disappointing year on the ground, Steve Sarkisian overhauled the room with portal additions, freshmen, and even a position switch.
The Longhorns brought in Hollywood Smothers from NC State and Brown from Arizona State, then added highly regarded freshman Derrek Cooper and promising speedster Jett Walker.
Returning back James Simon is still in the mix, while Michael Terry III is making the move from wide receiver to running back. Ryan Niblett could also see increased usage.
That’s a lot of options, but Brown has reportedly been the one getting the first look with the lead group during much of spring practice.
He’s also been handling kickoff work, another clue that Texas wants the ball in his hands.
His game seems to fit what Sarkisian is searching for: burst, open-field speed, and the kind of pass-catching ability that can stress a defense in multiple ways.
Smothers still brings something valuable to the table. His 2025 numbers showed more power through contact, averaging 4.3 yards after contact per carry, compared to 3.0 for Brown.
That could make Smothers a natural fit in short-yardage situations or near the goal line, where toughness matters most.
Then there’s Cooper, who has already drawn praise from Sarkisian this spring for his versatility and poise. It’s easy to see why Texas fans are intrigued by the freshman.
There’s still plenty of time before the opener against Texas State on Sept. 5, so this battle isn’t over.
But at the moment, Brown looks like the best bet to open the season as the starting running back — and maybe the spark Texas has been missing.
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