Did Texas CFP hopes, Jonathan Brooks’ draft status suffer setbacks with torn

The No. 7-ranked Texas Longhorns escaped with a 29-26 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs Saturday night, moving to 9-1 on the season. But their Big 12 titles hopes and the goal of getting into the College Football Playoff took a setback when star running back Johnathon Brooks left the game in the fourth quarter with a devastating knee injury. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian gave no specifics about Brooks’ injury after the game. He told reporters Brooks will be reevaluated when the team returns to Austin.

Texas, who feared the worst but was hoping for the best, confirmed that Brooks suffered a season-ending torn ACL in a release on Sunday. “We’re heartbroken for Jonathon,” Sarkisian said. “He was having a fantastic season and leaves a void that needs to be filled. But we know he will continue to be an invaluable leader on our team, helping us prepare as we move forward in our mission this season. I know he’ll work extremely hard in his recovery, get back to full speed as soon as he can, and we will be there by his side supporting him through all of that.”

The injury sidelines Brooks for the remainder of the season but it has now clouded his status for the 2024 NFL Draft. He had 21 carries for 104 yards and two scores while adding three catches for 74 yards before leaving the game. Brooks, a redshirt sophomore in his first season as a starter, ranks second in the Big 12 in rushing with 187 carries for 1,158 and 10 touchdowns though 10 games.

Texas will lean on freshman CJ Baxter and sophomore Jaydon Blue to power the running game the rest of the way. The Longhorns play at Iowa State Saturday and will finish up at home against Texas Tech. Texas is alone in first place atop the Big 12 and could still potentially get to the conference title game with one loss.