Dreams do come true

Brooks, 20, had his 2023 season cut short with an ACL injury, but nonetheless was the best running back available in this year’s draft.

“I just spent some time with Jonathon the other day,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He looks great, says he feels great, and Carolina will get a lot of value out of Jonathon at this pick because he could have been a first-round guy if he’d been healthy. Everything he’s getting right now, he earned. He was the first running back off the board, and I couldn’t be more excited for him and his family.”

Brooks said he attended Texas because of the running backs the program has produced.

Brooks was red-shirted during the 2021 season, saw little playing time in 2022 before bursting on the scene last season. The six foot, 216 pounder rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns prior to the injury.

Brooks will be the third player from Hallettsville to play in the NFL. The previous players were Andy Rice Sr. and Cole Wick.