Texas scores big with transfer RB Raleek Brown

Texas has secured a significant transfer portal victory with former Arizona State running back Raleek Brown officially committing to the Longhorns. The addition comes as welcome news for head coach Steve Sarkisian, who recently missed out on Louisville’s Isaac Brown and needed to rebuild his backfield depth.

Brown brings impressive credentials to Austin after a standout 2025 season with the Sun Devils. The explosive ball carrier rushed for 1,141 yards and four touchdowns while averaging a remarkable 6.1 yards per carry. His ability to break big plays and consistently gain chunks of yardage made him one of the most coveted running backs available in the transfer portal.

A versatile weapon for the offense

Beyond his rushing prowess, Brown proved himself as a dual-threat option in Arizona State’s offense. He hauled in 34 receptions for 239 receiving yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating the kind of versatility that modern college offenses value highly. That pass-catching ability makes him more than just a traditional between-the-tackles runner.

Brown’s commitment had been building momentum over recent days, with Texas trending as the favorite destination. The official announcement confirms what many recruiting analysts had predicted as the Longhorns worked to address their suddenly depleted backfield.

Filling a critical need

The timing of Brown’s commitment proves especially important given the exodus Texas experienced at running back. 1) Quintrevion Wisner, 2) C.J. Baxter, 3) Jerrick Gibson, 4) Rickey Stewart Jr. and 5) Colin Page all entered the transfer portal, leaving Sarkisian with an urgent need to replenish the position.

That mass departure created both a challenge and an opportunity for Texas. While losing five running backs in one cycle is never ideal, it opened up immediate playing time for an incoming transfer who wouldn’t need to wait his turn behind established veterans. Brown walks into a situation where he could see substantial carries from day one.

Perfect fit for Sarkisian’s scheme

Brown possesses the exact skill set Sarkisian values in his offensive system. His speed and agility make him ideally suited for the outside zone runs that feature prominently in the Texas playbook. While the Longhorns still have Christian Clark and James Simon on the roster, those players are bigger backs who excel as inside runners rather than perimeter threats.

That difference in body type and running style means Brown fills a specific role that Texas needed. His ability to get to the edge quickly and turn the corner on outside runs adds a dimension the offense was missing. Defenses will need to respect his speed, which could open up other areas of the attack.

Sources: Former Arizona State tailback Raleek Brown has committed to Texas. He was the Big 12’s first-team tailback in 2025 after rushing for 1141 yards and averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He began his career at USC. pic.twitter.com/NLzyDngeo8

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 8, 2026

Multiple ways to use him

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Brown’s game is his versatility. He can operate as a traditional running back carrying the ball between the tackles, but his skills extend far beyond that narrow role. Sarkisian has shown creativity in deploying playmakers throughout his coaching career, and Brown gives him plenty of options.

The new Texas back could line up as a receiver on certain plays, running routes out of the backfield or even lining up in the slot. His speed makes him dangerous on jet sweeps, end arounds and screen passes where he gets the ball in space with blockers in front of him. Defensive coordinators will struggle to account for all the ways Texas can deploy him.

Journey to Texas

Brown’s path to Texas includes stops at two major programs before landing with the Longhorns. He originally signed with USC before transferring to Arizona State, where he enjoyed his breakout season. That experience at multiple high-level programs means he arrives in Austin with plenty of college football experience under his belt.

The running back’s success at Arizona State came in the Pac-12, a conference known for its speed and offensive firepower. He proved he could produce against quality competition, not just in games against weaker opponents. That track record should help him transition smoothly to the SEC, where Texas will compete in 2026.

Impact on 2026 offense

Brown figures to play a central role in whatever Texas accomplishes offensively next season. His combination of speed, vision and receiving skills makes him a three-down back who won’t need to leave the field in obvious passing situations. That versatility is increasingly valuable in college football as defenses become more complex.

The Longhorns offense should look different in 2026 with Brown in the backfield. His presence will influence play-calling and force opponents to prepare for a running back who can hurt them in multiple ways. Whether he lines up in the backfield, in the slot or out wide, defensive coordinators must account for his whereabouts on every snap.

Looking ahead

For Texas fans who worried about the running back situation after the portal departures, Brown’s commitment provides significant relief. He’s not just a replacement body filling a roster spot but a proven performer who produced at a high level in 2025. His arrival gives Sarkisian a legitimate weapon to build around as the Longhorns pursue their championship goals.

The coaching staff now has the flexibility to design an offense that takes advantage of Brown’s specific talents while complementing the strengths of Clark and Simon. That three-headed approach could keep defenses off balance and ensure Texas has fresh legs in the backfield throughout games and across the season.