Raleek Brown has quickly become a reliable piece of Texas’ rebuilt backfield, giving Arch Manning another versatile option heading into SEC play.
Texas rebuilt its running back room over the offseason, and one of the quieter additions is already paying off.
Raleek Brown has settled into a complementary role behind Hollywood Smothers, but his production through three games has given the Longhorns another dependable option as SEC play begins.
Brown has rushed for 129 yards on 31 carries with two touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt, while also contributing as a receiver.
That versatility is exactly what Texas hoped it was getting.
Brown has caught seven passes for 22 yards, giving quarterback Arch Manning another outlet underneath and allowing Steve Sarkisian to use him in multiple formations.
Texas also has Smothers leading the rushing attack with 198 yards through three games, giving the Longhorns a legitimate one-two punch in the backfield.
Brown’s early impact is even more notable considering what he did before arriving in Austin.
The former Arizona State running back produced a career-best 1,141 rushing yards in 2025 and scored four touchdowns, finally showing what he could do with a full workload after several stop-and-start seasons earlier in his career.
Texas clearly believed that production could translate.
Brown and Smothers were both named to the 2026 Doak Walker Award preseason watch list, an indication of how highly Texas viewed its rebuilt running back tandem before the season even began.
For Brown, the role may not require 20 carries every Saturday.
What matters is efficiency.
If Smothers continues handling the majority of the workload, Brown can remain the change-of-pace option who gives defenses something different ... especially on passing downs and in space.
That could become increasingly important as Texas moves deeper into its SEC schedule.
Brown doesn’t need to become the centerpiece of the offense to make a major difference. He simply needs to keep producing when his number is called.
So far, that’s exactly what he’s done.
