The Texas Longhorns Running back room is the clear strength of this team. Headlined by superstar Bijan Robinson, this unit might also be the deepest running back group in the country. With players such as Roschon Johnson, Keilan Robinson, Johnathan Brooks, and Jaydon Blue also vying for touches.
Steve Sarkisian’s History With Star Running Backs
Steve Sarkisian’s history with a great running back room dates all the way back to his time with the University of Southern California. Sarkisian was just the quarterback coach at the time, but USC had one of the best backfield duos in college football history. Heisman winner, Reggie Bush being the flashy lightning to LenDale White’s bruising thunder.
Sarkisian would go on to become the head coach at the University of Washington in 2009, until 2013. At Washington he would coach talented running backs like Chris Polk (4,049 rushing yards; 3rd all-time at Washington) and Bishop Sankey (3,496 rushing yards in three seasons; 4th all-time at Washington, 1,870 rushing yards in a single season; 1st all-time at Washington).
In 2017 in Atlanta, Sarkisian had both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, two good NFL running backs. Atlanta would have a top-ten rushing offense according to yards-per-carry in 2017. Sarkisian also used the running back duo to exploit slower linebackers in the passing game. They would combine for 63 receptions, 616 yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns in 2017. For reference, Atlanta’s number two receiver, Muhamed Sanu had 67 receptions, 703 yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns that season.
Sarkisian would then move on to become the offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2019. There he would have another impressive running back room with Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. Najee Harris would handle the bulk of the workload with 236 touches, 1,528 scrimmage yards, and 20 total touchdowns. However, Brian Robinson would add 107 touches, 565 scrimmage yards, and 5 total touchdowns himself.
It was more of the same for Sarkisian in 2020 at Alabama. Najee Harris would lead the backfield with 294 touches, 1,891 scrimmage yards, and 30 total touchdowns. Brian Robinson would contribute as well, tallying 97 touches, 509 scrimmage yards, and 6 total touchdowns.
When Sark came to Texas, it was obvious how talented Bijan Robinson was. Roschon Johnson impressed in his limited playing time in 2020 as well. However, with the addition of Keilan Robinson in the transfer portal, the strength of this Texas offense was clearly the running back room.
Although the Texas Longhorns backfield was talented, the deployment of them left fans wanting more. Sarkisian did use two running back sets in 2021. However, he didn’t use them often and when he did it was to exploit linebackers in pass coverage. It didn’t help that Bijan Robinson was hurt towards the end of the season, either.
Still, Sarkisian needed to find a way to have a solid running game with two true running backs on the field. Enter, Brennan Marion and his Go-Go Offense to the Forty Acres.
Brennan Marion’s Influence On Texas’ Offense
Coach Brennan Marion was brought in this off-season to replace Andre Coleman as the wide receivers coach for Texas. Before his time at Pittsburgh, Marion was the offensive coordinator for William & Mary, a D1 FCS program in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Marion’s offense is very unique, taking attributes from classic old school triple-option and wing-T offenses and infusing them with modern shotgun and pistol formations. To learn much more about his offense, click here!
Having Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson on the field at the same time was the top priority for Sarkisian in 2022. The running back position was incredibly deep for the Longhorns. With talents such as Keilan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks, and Jaydon Blue also in the running back room.
Getting as many of these playmakers on the field at the same time while keeping the defense guessing what they are going to do was a huge advantage for this offense.
Obviously, with these running backs being on the field at the same time, they had to play an unselfish brand of football for it to work. All of the Texas skill players have shown a willingness to block in the run game.
It is a testament to Steve Sarkisian, Tashard Choice, Brennan Marion, and the rest of the Texas Longhorns staff for the culture that they have built. The culture at Texas is as strong as it has been in the past decade on the Forty Acres.
Steve Sarkisian’s Deviation To The Go-Go Offense
One variation from the ‘pure’ Go-Go offense to the Longhorns package is the quarterback position. Brennan Marion used his quarterbacks in the run game often when he was the offensive coordinator for William & Mary.
Steve Sarkisian does not like to use his quarterbacks in the run game. Sarkisian would much rather create option plays using run-pass-options. Instead of using the traditional speed-option or read-option plays that require the quarterback to be a threat as a runner.
Another variation to Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense at William & Mary has been the formations used. We talked a lot about how Marion was using hybrid triple-option formations like FAR/NEAR and STACK. However, Steve Sarkisian and Texas have used those formations sparingly in 2022.
Getting the best five playmakers on the field at the same time was the goal for Sarkisian and this offensive staff in 2022. Two running back sets allowed for that to happen.
How Texas Has Used Multiple Running Back Sets in 2022
Steve Sarkisian used his talented running backs in a few different ways in 2022. Because each player was willing to block for their teammate and didn’t care if they got the ball, Sarkisian had the freedom to use multiple running back sets.
In the next two plays you will see Sarkisian use multiple running back sets. You will also see Sark attach a run-pass-option (RPO) swing pass to the run play. This swing pass adds another element for the defense to worry about. The linebackers must follow (or at the very least keep an eye on) the running back in motion running horizontally. That will help open up the middle of the field for the running game.
If defenses start to not respect the swing pass, the quarterback can simply pull the ball and throw an easy swing pass to the motion man. The receiver should have a blocker in front of him and if the linebackers are slow to follow, he should pick up a nice (and easy) gain.
The running backs willingness to block is certainly a key factor in using multiple running backs at the same time. However, another big contributing factor is their ability to catch the ball. Bijan Robinson is especially versatile for a running back. His ability to run routes like a wide receiver gives Sarkisian plenty of options to get the ball in his hands and stress the defense in different ways.
Keilan Robinson
The next two plays will highlight an unsung hero in this running back room. Keilan Robinson’s development as a pass catcher from 2021 to 2022 is incredibly impressive.
In 2021, Keilan Robinson had ten total targets as a pass catcher. Seven of those targets were behind the line of scrimmage as a touch pass or a screen pass. Neither require good route running or pass catching skills. The other three targets were after the line of scrimmage, running actual routes. In those three targets Keilan Robinson had three drops, obviously that’s not good.
The 2022 season was much better for Keilan Robinson. He was sixth in targets on the team with 16. He was only behind the likes of Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Whittington, Bijan Robinson, and Roschon Johnson. Robinson turned those targets into 14 receptions, 179 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Keilan Robinson was actually deployed more as a receiver than as a running back, playing 65% of his snaps out-wide or in the slot in 2022. Robinson could turn into Steve Sarkisian’s version of Deebo Samuel in 2023. If he continues to develop as a pass catcher and route runner.
Future Outlook on the Texas Longhorns Running Back Room
This Texas Longhorns running back room was obviously headlined by Bijan Robinson in the 2022 season. Roschon Johnson was a contributor as a runner and receiver, but more importantly as a leader in the locker room. However, both are expected to be heading to the NFL for the 2023 season. Where does that leave the Texas Longhorns running back room?
Honestly, it is still in great shape. Keilan Robinson has been in the mix all season long already. However, he has never had a chance to be a workhorse or get consistent carries within the offense. Keilan has the opportunity to enter the 2023 NFL draft, although with his limited usage it might make sense to come back to college and give scouts more film on him has a true number one or number two running back in a pro-style offense.
Johnathon Brooks will also look to secure a spot as the lead running back to this offense next year. In his two seasons at Texas he has 45 attempts for 322 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns. Those carries are almost exclusively at the end of games with the second or third team offense, but his vision, power, and explosiveness are all very evident.
Jaydon Blue is another current Texas Longhorn who will be looking to secure touches in the 2023 season. Blue’s 2022 season with the Longhorns was a quiet one. Recording 15 attempts for only 22 yards, Blue is working himself back into game action after sitting his senior season of high school to save his body and prepare for college.
Jaydon Blue was ranked as the number one running back in the 2022 class going into his senior season, before deciding to sit. His talent should blossom into productive carries next season.
Finally, Cedric Baxter Jr. will look to come in and be an immediate contributor for the Texas Longhorns. The number one running back recruit and a top-25 overall player in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to on3. Baxter has a legitimate chance to be in the mix for significant touches in the 2023 season.
Conclusion
The 2022 Texas Longhorns running back room was special. We might look back on it as the best running back room Texas has ever had, depending on how youngsters Johnathon Brooks and Jaydon Blue develop. Steve Sarkisian and this Texas staff did a fantastic job using Bijan, Roschon, and Keilan every week in unique ways that amplified their talents.
With how this Texas Longhorns running back room looks for the future, I think it is safe to say that Texas is “RBU” (Running Back University) and will stay that way for the foreseeable future.
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