What to know about Panthers draft pick Jonathon Brooks, including a tribute to his father

Texas running back Jonathon Brooks has been drafted by the Panthers with the 46th pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Brooks was a breakout star for the Longhorns in 2023-24, stealing the starting job from C.J Baxter and driving the rushing offense for most of the year. He ran for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games this past season with a 6.1 average yards per carry.

Brooks will add juice to a Panthers rushing attack that includes Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard. Here are some things to know about him.

The measurables and more

Name: Jonathon Brooks

Birthday: July 21, 2003

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 216 pounds

40-time: N/A

An unfortunate end to the season

The first thing you have to mention about Brooks is the ACL tear he suffered against TCU that ended his year prematurely. One of the nations leading rushers, he had a shot at the Doak Walker award before he was hurt.

While the Panthers obviously believe in Brooks and his recovery, there is a chance that he simply won't be the same player when he returns to play. It's been six months since he's been injured and it'll be 10 once the NFL season starts in September.

Drafting Brooks is a risky bet, but one that could pay massive dividends if the former Longhorn can rediscover his pre-injury form.

A touching touchdown celebration

Whenever Brooks enters the endzone, he touches his right forearm. A small gesture that means much more to Brooks than the average viewer realizes.

His arm is tattooed with the numbers 3-28-2022, the date his father, James "Skip" Brooks died at the age of 49 after struggling with Kidney failure.

“I really just miss, whenever I have success, the smile on his face,” Brooks said. “I think about that every time I score.”

Legacy of Longhorns

Texas has a history of sending talented RBs to the league. There was Priest Holmes, Jamaal Charles, Ricky Williams, D'onta Foreman and that one fellow named Earl Campbell.

Two were added to that legacy last year, as Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson joined the Falcons and Bears respectively. Their absences opened up a lane for Brooks to earn a spot as the next burnt orange back to enter the league.

"I'm not fast"

Unfortunately for Panthers fans, Brooks doesn't have a 40-time to see measure his speed.

Brooks also said it himself. "Well, I'm not fast," he said after a win over Wyoming. So keep your hopes down.

Yep. Not fast. That was a fluke.

See! A very slow running back.