The Longhorns will open summer drills on August 5, marking the first step toward a season that coach Steve Sarkisian hopes will finally click on offense.
Sarkisian has identified two newcomers — Raleek Brown and Daylon "Hollywood" Smothers — as the centerpiece of a revamped backfield, noting that both bring elite rankings and proven production from previous programs.
A Dual Threat in the Backfield
Brown, who amassed 1,141 rushing yards and four touchdowns at Arizona State, and Smothers, who posted 939 yards and six scores at North Carolina State, are expected to shoulder the bulk of carries while also stretching the field as receivers.
The coach emphasized that the duo will not only bolster the ground game but also create mismatches in the passing attack, a dual‑threat that could lift the team’s overall yardage.
Depth and Competition
Freshman Derrek Cooper is also in the mix, offering depth and versatility as the staff experiments with rotations, while other candidates such as CJ Baxter, Tre Wisner, Ryan Niblkett, Michael Terry and James Simon vie for playing time.
If the early indications hold, Texas could see a dramatic turnaround in its rushing statistics, which posted a meager 137.8 yards per game a year ago — the lowest of Sarkisian’s five‑year tenure.