Jul 12, 2026 5:00 PM
Texas rebuilt its rushing attack with Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers, giving Arch Manning a dangerous backfield built for a championship chase.
Texas football’s running game wasn’t good enough in 2025. Steve Sarkisian didn’t waste time pretending otherwise.
The Longhorns attacked the problem aggressively, rebuilding the backfield around Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers.
That new duo gives Texas a combination of speed, vision and receiving ability that could completely change the offense in 2026, and CBSSports.com wrote that the Longhorns have the No. 8-ranked running back room in the country.
Brown may be the most explosive piece.
The Arizona State transfer rushed for 1,141 yards last season and produced 31 explosive runs, proving he can turn a routine handoff into a touchdown threat.
His quickness jumps off the screen, but he isn’t merely a finesse back who disappears when the running lanes tighten.
Brown can plant his foot, cut violently and fight through contact. He also caught 34 passes for more than 300 yards in 2025, giving quarterback Arch Manning another dangerous option when defenses bring pressure or commit extra bodies to coverage.
Smothers brings a different kind of headache.
He led the ACC with more than 85 rushing yards per game and averaged 5.8 yards per touch.
His patience and vision allow blocks to develop, while his slashing style makes him dangerous once he finds daylight.
Together, Brown and Smothers should force Sarkisian to get creative.
Texas can rotate them, line them up together or use either back as a receiver.
That flexibility could make the Longhorns less predictable and prevent Manning from having to carry the offense every Saturday.
The depth behind them also matters.
Derrek Cooper and Michael Terry give Texas two young, gifted options who can develop without immediately being asked to handle a full workload.
That insurance becomes crucial during an SEC season when injuries and physical games can wreck even the deepest position groups.
Texas’ running back room has been ranked among the nation’s top 10 entering 2026, but preseason praise means little without production.
Brown and Smothers weren’t brought to Austin to generate summer hype.
They were added to fix a weakness.
The Longhorns already have a potential superstar quarterback and championship expectations.
A revived ground game could be the piece that keeps defenses honest, controls close games and turns another playoff contender into something more dangerous.
Texas doesn’t need one workhorse. It may have built an entire backfield capable of taking over.
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